News

* Government says councils misused wellbeing rules to justify non-essential spending, raising rates. * Labour disputes claims, saying rate increases stem from central government decisions, not councils. * Benchmarking reports will compare council performance on rates, debt, and services nationwide. The government has announced plans to remove four wellbeing provisions from the Local

* ILT hosted a Christmas dinner for Invercargill residents aged over 70 years. * Guests enjoyed a three-course meal, live entertainment, and warm community connection. * Over 25,000 meals served since the event began in 1993. ILT hosted the first of two Christmas dinners for Invercargill residents aged over 70 at the

* 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

Two Southland marching teams cleaned up at the South Island championships at the weekend, The Hokonui u18s defending their titles for the third year in a row. Hokonui u13 and Hokonui u18 teams were part of a six-strong Southland contingent attending the champs in Christchurch. Marching Southland publicity and promotions

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

* Invercargill City Council progresses land sale at Awarua after reserve status clarification. * Te Rūnanga o Awarua suggests land be considered for cultural or housing purposes. * Two sections already listed for sale with additional marketing planned after approvals. The Invercargill City Council is advancing the sale of land parcels at Awarua,

* Coastguard Riverton's new boat will enhance safety and rescue capabilities significantly. * The advanced vessel features cutting-edge navigation, night vision, and thermal imaging equipment. * Local community and donors played a key role in funding the modern rescue boat. Coastguard Riverton is preparing to welcome a new state-of-the-art rescue boat,

Invercargill Police are investigating after a safe was stolen during a burglary at a commercial premises on Mersey Street. Related: Thousands of Dollars in Tools Stolen from Southland Carpentry Students The burglary occurred sometime overnight on Tuesday the 11th of December. Police believe that due to the size and weight