Councils

Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS) has highlighted the ongoing concerns to council about future provision of elderly housing in the city. A workshop for councillors on the future of elderly housing on Tuesday (May 26), outlined the current issues and challenges. PSS said 55% of Invercargill households are 1-2 person but

Invercargill City Council has backed a "One Southland" governance model, saying a single council would deliver the strongest path to regional efficiency and sustainability. The decision comes as Southland faces two parallel processes for local government change. The Local Government Commission announced today it will proceed to Phase

Construction of Stewart Island Rakiura’s long-awaited renewable energy project officially began today, with community leaders, government representatives, contractors, and residents gathering to mark the occasion at the future solar farm site on Airport Road. Associate Minister of Regional Development Mark Patterson and Southland District Council Mayor Rob Scott turned

New Zealand has 260 separate regulatory bodies creating what Regulation Minister David Seymour calls a "twisted spaghetti" of overlapping bureaucracy that costs taxpayers millions and strangles economic activity. The first comprehensive mapping of the country's regulatory maze reveals 95 regulators in central government, 79 in local

Construction of the new Museum of Southland remains on track and within budget, with completion expected later this year as work continues to transform the long-awaited facility into a modern cultural destination for the region. While builders continue progress on the physical structure, the museum team has shifted its focus

An Invercargill parks planner has been recognised as the country's best at a national awards ceremony. Invercargill City Council Senior Open Spaces Planner Cassandra Horton was named Parks Leader of the Year at the 2026 Recreation Aotearoa Parks Awards in Hamilton last Thursday. The award recognises exceptional leadership

Southland Mayor Rob Scott has defended spending more than $12,000 of ratepayer money on a six-day trip to Scandinavia, calling it a worthwhile investment. The Southland District Council revealed this week it spent $12,840 for Scott to join an Infrastructure NZ delegation that visited Sweden and Norway from

Six new elderly housing units on Miller Street have officially opened, adding to Invercargill's housing stock as demand continues to outstrip supply. Invercargill City Council celebrated completion of the $2.8 million project on Friday with an opening ceremony attended by elected members, contractors, local representatives and council