Community

Renowned as the day when country comes to town, the 2026 Southland A & P Show is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors to Donovan Park this Saturday 7 March. Now in its 156th year, the event continues to honour the rural traditions that have long shaped Southland’s identity.

Invercargill residents are being invited to help themselves to fresh fruit and vegetables growing in local parks as part of Parks Week 2026 celebrations. With the main growing season drawing to a close, several vegetable gardens across the city are now ready for harvest. Invercargill City Council Manager Parks and

Work is well underway towards building St John’s new Southland District Headquarters in Invercargill. Operations manager Cary Grant said the new space will give people somewhere they can actually regroup, relax and recharge after a busy shift. The multi-million dollar station will also serve as a base for multiple

ILT has delivered a better than anticipated profit result and will award a staff-wide bonus to recognise the team’s efforts during a busy and challenging trading period. ILT’s board has confirmed plans to share the outcome with employees across all establishments through a one-off bonus. ILT President Paddy

The annual Placemakers Scooter Challenge is back in March, but this year organisers have changed the route slightly and opened it up to more riders. Now in its 9th year, the fundraiser will be donating to the Grace Street Project, and starts at Teretonga on March 21 - finishing in

Invercargill career firefighters are upping the ante with strike action moving to two days a week starting on Monday March 2. The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) originally planned to start this week but cancelled due to weather events up north. The National Committee meets every week to discuss

Organisers of Southland’s Multicultural Food Festival are on the look out for some fresh new flavours for next month’s annual event.  But be in quick, last minute registrations close 27th February. With 55 stalls already locked in at Stadium Southland on March 21 - there is still room

The future of Invercargill’s Rugby Park stadium and grounds is safe for now. Invercargill City Councillors agreed at the Community and Regulatory Committee meeting on Tuesday 17th, to include a proposal to invest in refurbishing the facility in the upcoming Long-term Plan 2027-2037. All remedial work including earthquake strengthening