News

Otago's New Zealand sea lion population has reached a historic milestone, producing more than 35 pups in a single breeding season for the first time in over a century. With 38 pups born this season, the population is officially on track to become mainland New Zealand's

Southland District Council has been ordered by the Ombudsman to overhaul its record keeping after refusing to release information about mayoral spending. The controversy began in August 2025 when media requested mayoral and chair spending records from all four Southland councils covering the previous term to July 31. While three

National Party leaders are defending their coalition government despite recent tensions with New Zealand First over foreign policy communications. The comments come after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon accused coalition partner Winston Peters of "playing politics" following the release of emails about New Zealand's position on US

Accounting students at Southern Institute of Technology showed strong enthusiasm at a careers event that connected them with industry professionals last week. The 'Find Your Fit' event at SIT's Invercargill campus brought together students, accounting professionals and academics for an evening of networking and career insights.

Youthline Southland has closed its Invercargill office after 50 years of serving the local community, with operations now handled through a national support model. The office shut its doors last Friday following a year-long review by the Southland board, which examined the changing landscape of remote mental health services and

Southern Institute of Technology will offer 10 new scholarships annually to Aurora College students starting in 2027, providing debt-free pathways to tertiary education in Invercargill. The scholarships will cover any qualification from certificates to bachelor's degrees across all SIT faculties and continue for the full duration of each

Southern councils have three months to come up with their own amalgamation plans or face government-imposed changes, ministers announced Tuesday. Local Government Minister Simon Watts and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop delivered the ultimatum, abandoning their previous approach of government-led Combined Territories Boards in favour of voluntary council groupings. "

Environment Southland has appointed Stephen Hall as its new Chief Executive, with the regional council veteran set to start on July 20. Hall brings more than 25 years of experience in resource management and regional councils to the role, including time at Bay of Plenty Regional Council and executive positions