News

The Southland Business Chamber has revealed 33 finalists across 12 hotly‑contested categories in the 2025 Datagrid Southland Business Excellence Awards. After a record 135 entries, judges spent six weeks poring over submissions that showcased the strength, resilience and innovation of our region’s enterprises. “This year’s entries reflect

* Planned closure of Takitimu Mine removes most freight need, prompting rail line mothballing decision * KiwiRail says repairing storm damage then upgrading bridges would cost many millions over five years * First nine kilometres stay open to serve Lorneville meat works, coal switches fully to trucks Bathurst Coal Ltd’s decision to

Four iconic clocks have returned to their platforms after a community-led restoration spanning two years. Local firms donated materials and specialist labour, keeping heritage skills alive for future generations. Their mechanisms are still being tuned off-site and are expected back in time for summer. Four historic railway clocks have been

Southland’s iconic Home Show is back again this weekend, and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the event they are cutting the entry fee.  Organiser George Owen has been involved since its inception and was looking forward to another successful two-day event at ILT Stadium Southland on August 2

A new surprise has turned up in the Invercargill Mayoralty race - but it has a twist. Nobby Clark’s brother is standing for Mayor in both the south and in Tasman, but under two different names. Andrew Clark turned up on the list of nominations this week, and placards

• Invercargill sees its first open mayoral race without an incumbent in decades. • Twenty-seven council hopefuls join the election alongside board and trust candidates. • Voting begins in early September with several opportunities to cast ballots across the city. Invercargill is set for a competitive election season with eight candidates entering the

Three candidates will contest Southland District’s mayoralty in the October local government elections.The sitting Mayor Rob Scott is being challenged for the position by his predecessor, Gary Tong, and Wendy Joy Baker. When nominations closed at midday today all the vacant positions – mayor, councillor, and community board positions

* Sixteen candidates confirmed for upcoming Gore District Council election scheduled for October. * Mayoral race features Ben Bell seeking re-election against former councillor Nicky Davis. * Mataura Community Board short of nominees, triggering an additional by-election for one seat. The Gore District Council will hold elections in October, with positions across the