Southland-based company Awarua Synergy was a winner at the PROtrade United Industry Awards, held in Brisbane, Australia, at the weekend. Competing against a field of leading trade companies from across Australia and New Zealand, Awarua Synergy was nominated for three awards and took home the top honour for its outstanding

* New risk-based approach aims to save over $8.2 billion in remediation and demolition costs * Thousands of buildings to be removed from earthquake-prone register under new assessment system * Small towns and low-risk areas like Auckland now exempt from many earthquake safety requirements The Government has announced a major shake-up of

Southland is remembering one of its most dramatic weather events this month — fifteen years since a sudden spring snowstorm caused the roof of Stadium Southland to collapse. On Saturday 18th September 2010, heavy snow fell overnight, blanketing the region and leading to widespread disruption. The collapse happened early in the

The old Coachman’s Inn at the entrance to Invercargill is being restored to its former glory, thanks to local builder Jamie Bennett. He said luxury motel owners KTC, based in Auckland, purchased the motels and holiday park last year. They also own motels in Queens Drive as well. The

* Government to replace joint liability with a fairer, proportionate liability model * Councils can now consolidate building consent functions to streamline processes nationwide * Reforms aim to cut delays, lower costs, and improve housing and infrastructure delivery The Government has announced the most significant reform to New Zealand’s building consent system

The latest QV House Price Index shows average home values across New Zealand dipped by 0.5% over the three months to the end of July, with the national average now $909,671. Values remain almost unchanged compared to the same time last year, and the nationwide average value is

Homeowners tired of wrestling with consent paperwork to erect a modest garden shed or hobby room are set to receive welcome relief. Cabinet has signed off new setback rules that scrap the mandatory distance between a boundary and single-storey buildings smaller than ten square metres, and shrink the distance to

Rental prices across most of New Zealand have fallen, offering some welcome relief for tenants. According to new data from realestate.co.nz, the national average asking rent in June 2025 was $636—down 2.7% from $653 in June 2024. Wellington renters benefited the most from the price drop,