New Zealand

The Government has created a super-ministry to handle cities, housing and the environment. The new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport will absorb the Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Transport, and local government functions from Internal Affairs. Legislation passed this week clears

New World is dumping its Clubcard for a new rewards scheme that works across three supermarket chains. Club+ launches June 15, combining New World, PAK'nSAVE and Four Square into a single customer platform for the first time. The move reflects how most people already shop — bouncing between different

Jill Bolger has been awarded the Sir Lance Cross Award for Exceptional Services to Basketball after more than 40 years shaping the sport in Southland and nationally. The veteran administrator helped establish the Southland Sharks in 2010 and has driven the franchise's operations ever since. Her fingerprints are

South Port has a new chief executive. Derek Nind will take over as CEO on July 27, replacing Nigel Gear who steps down at the end of May after 8.5 years leading the Bluff port company. Nind brings deep port experience to the role. He previously served as chief

Former Labour Cabinet minister Stuart Nash has officially joined New Zealand First and will contest the Napier electorate seat in the 2026 general election. The announcement marks a dramatic political shift for Nash, who held Napier for Labour across three terms from 2014 to 2023 before being sacked from Cabinet

The Government has unveiled a $1.2 billion loan scheme to help thousands of New Zealand businesses move away from dwindling natural gas supplies while protecting local jobs. The Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme will see the Crown guarantee 80% of each supported loan, enabling banks to offer lower interest

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

Dame Jools Topp has died aged 68. The comedian and singer, one half of the beloved Topp Twins duo, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday surrounded by her twin sister Dame Lynda, brother Bruce, close friends and "all her fur-babies". She lived with breast cancer for