Education

* Invercargill-based studio receives $40,000 CODE grant for developing a 2D action RPG. * Game development team includes SIT staff, graduates, and a current student. * Funding will create a prototype to secure investment for full game development. An Invercargill studio with close ties to the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) has

* Invercargill City Mayor hails return of SIT as a win for students. * Government to reinstate standalone polytechnics from January 2026. * Vocational education system redesign aims to strengthen regional economies. The return of the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) as an autonomous institution has sparked optimism in Invercargill. Mayor Nobby Clark,

An Invercargill couple’s outdoor learning programmes have been so successful that after 18 months, Southland schools are now choosing their programmes to support the learning of their students.  Katie and Gareth Oliver started ‘True in Nature’ last year to offer children of all ages outdoor learning

* Sunshine brought out crowds for Telford’s 2024 graduation and street procession. * Students celebrated in style, walking through Balclutha to their graduation ceremony. * Over 330 supporters joined the event, celebrating graduates' achievements in various programmes. Telford’s class of 2024 celebrated their graduation in perfect weather on November 28

* Aparima College students won top honours at the national Young Enterprise Scheme awards. * Their business, Treet Yourself Contracting, impressed with its focus on sustainability and innovation. * The YES programme fosters entrepreneurship in secondary schools, connecting students with business leaders. Students from Aparima College in Riverton have claimed the top prize

A devastating theft has left Southland carpentry students thousands of dollars out of pocket and jeopardised their end-of-year project. The tools, essential for their training, were stolen from the workshop at Invercargill’s Southern Institute of Technology (SIT). Related: Police Seek Information Following Safe Theft The students discovered the theft

It has been a busy time for the Learning Differences Aotearoa Trust in Southland with a number of initiatives in October for Dyslexia Awareness Month. The Southland-based charity was established in 2017, and provides information, support and guidance for children, youth and adults with learning differences. Promotions and funding co-ordinator

* Sixty-five Invercargill students receive ILT scholarships for tertiary studies in 2025. * Each scholarship provides $2,000 annually, supporting academic growth over three years. * ILT celebrates funding over 900 scholarships, valuing more than $5 million to date. Sixty-five Invercargill students have been awarded ILT Tertiary Scholarships, recognising their potential and supporting