* Telford launched a new scholarship to support students in the Diploma in Agriculture programme * First recipient Katelin Perkins plans to use the funds to help cover accommodation costs * The award recognises academic success, farming commitment, and community involvement Telford student Katelin (Kate) Perkins has become the first recipient of the

* Legislation aims to return education decisions to regional polytechnics and industry leaders * Industry Skills Boards to replace Workforce Development Councils from January 2026 * Te Pūkenga to be phased out as changes roll out over two years The government has started a major overhaul of New Zealand’s vocational education and

Southland District Council is closing the Manapouri Hall temporarily while asbestos found on the outside wall of the hall is cleaned up. Council chief executive Cameron McIntosh said the hall was being prepared for painting when contractors noticed what they thought was asbestos on the cladding under the windows. "

* invercargill and Southland to receive new urgent and after-hours healthcare services expansion * Rural areas including Stewart Island and Tuatapere will get 24/7 clinical support and urgent medicines * Invercargill to get new daytime urgent care service available seven days each week Access to urgent and after-hours healthcare is set to

* Farmers fear methane tools risk harming New Zealand’s natural meat and dairy product reputation. * Most farmers believe reducing methane emissions won’t significantly influence global climate change at all. * Farmers feel industry methane decisions are completely out of touch with grassroots agricultural values and needs. A new independent survey

First Kidzone Festival, now Matariki Festival has paused for 2025. ILT Kidzone Festival to Pause in 2025Great South has made the difficult decision to pause the 2025 ILT Kidzone Festival primarily due to rising costs and resource demands. Great South Chief Executive Chami Abeysinghe said the decision had not been

* Two First Division winners from Wellington and Canterbury each took home $500,000 * Powerball jackpot rises to $17 million after no winning ticket was drawn * Southland region saw strong success in the Triple Dip Mother’s Day promotion What’s On Invers Funeral Notices - What’s On Invers whatsoninvers.

* Demolition of the earthquake-prone museum building will officially begin in early June * Collection was digitised to preserve historical items from the Wyndham and District Museum * Volunteers are actively raising funds to build a future museum on the same site Demolition work will soon begin on the Wyndham and District Historical