Education

* Legislation aims to return education decisions to regional polytechnics and industry leaders * Industry Skills Boards to replace Workforce Development Councils from January 2026 * Te Pūkenga to be phased out as changes roll out over two years The government has started a major overhaul of New Zealand’s vocational education and

Positive primary, intermediate and secondary school experiences in Invercargill were pivotal in Raewyn Hansen’s pursuit of her long-held desire to be a teacher.  After 30 years teaching in children from five years to fifteen years old, in primary and secondary classrooms around Southland, as well as training in Deaf

* Students from Year 1 to 10 will learn practical money skills through refreshed curriculum * Curriculum includes basic and advanced topics, from savings to tax and investment knowledge * Ministry partners with financial groups to align resources and support teacher delivery Financial education will soon become a central part of learning for

* Nargis Girhotra will represent Southland youth at the 2025 Youth Parliament event * She brings wide community experience from leadership roles and volunteer activities * Her advocacy focuses on mental health, education, and climate change issues affecting youth Nargis Girhotra, a dedicated student leader from Invercargill, is preparing to represent her region

* Industries will soon control how they train apprentices and trainees across New Zealand. * New Industry Skills Boards will set standards and manage assessments from January 2026. * The Government says the changes will better connect learning with real-world job requirements. The Government is changing work-based learning to give industries more say

* Chris Ramsay appointed to new advisory role to provide local input for SIT decisions * Position follows ministerial directive to strengthen regional involvement across all Te Pūkenga divisions * Ramsay brings over a decade of SIT involvement and strong Southland community connections Chris Ramsay has been appointed to a new role as

Southlanders big and small are invited to get up close and personal with the fascinating creatures that live in our waterways at upcoming events in Invercargill and Winton next week. Two public events will run alongside four days of exclusive school sessions, giving over 320 Murihiku Southland students from 14

* ILT’s scholarship programme supports international students in studying English at SIT in Invercargill. * The initiative aims to boost student retention and economic benefits in the Southland region. * Scholarship recipients have gained confidence and plan to continue further study at SIT. Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) recently hosted a celebratory