News Desk

* Government confirms two new Cook Strait ferries will enter service by Christmas 2029 * Ferries will carry cars, trucks and up to 40 rail wagons on each sailing * Project to reuse port infrastructure, reducing taxpayer cost compared to cancelled iReX plan Two new Interislander ferries with both rail and road capability

* Cormac Buchanan earned his first top 10 finish at the Moto3 World Championship in Texas * The 18-year-old Kiwi achieved the feat at one of the toughest tracks on the MotoGP calendar * Buchanan is the first New Zealander in the top 10 of a grand prix since 1998 Cormac Buchanan has

* Fonterra's earnings and milk collections rose as it focused on long-term value creation * Interim dividend announced as product demand, performance and milk price forecasts all remain strong * Chair and executive team named for potential IPO of Consumer business Mainland Group Fonterra has reported a solid first-half performance for

Invercargill’s Splash Palace leisure pool is set to reopen earlier than expected following the completion of essential maintenance work. The pool, which closed on 3 March for the installation of new foam tile flooring, welcomed visitors back on Saturday 22 March — two days earlier than scheduled. Invercargill City Council

* The Warehouse Group cut digital spending by $26.6 million, reducing overall project costs. * Net profit rose to $11.8 million, reversing a $23.7 million loss the previous year. * Sales declined 1.6%, but improved trends were noted in the second quarter. The Warehouse Group has significantly reduced its

* A Southland Hospital patient’s lung cancer went undiagnosed for over five years. * The Health and Disability Commission found multiple missed opportunities to detect the cancer. * Health NZ Southern apologised and pledged to improve radiology processes and staffing. A Southland Hospital patient’s lung cancer diagnosis was delayed for over

On 23 March 2025, Winston Peters delivered his State of the Nation speech, addressing key political, economic, and social issues facing New Zealand. In his speech, Peters strongly criticised protesters outside the event, condemned the previous Labour government's economic management, and outlined his party's vision for

* Former Invercargill councillor Karen Arnold must clear her gorse-covered section after losing a dispute. * Arnold blames gorse from Bluff Hill land, co-owned by the council and DOC. * A panel ruled property owners must manage gorse on their own land. A former Invercargill councillor has been ordered to clear her overgrown