The Invercargill community will be consulted on a 9.47% rates increase, despite opposition from both the Mayor Nobby Clark and deputy Tom Campbell. At yesterday’s council meeting, Mayor Clark told the meeting from the outset he didn’t agree with the process they were using to determine the

* Helen Robinson is leading commercial and partnership efforts at Museum of Southland. * She brings experience in care, construction, and community-focused projects to her new role. * The museum aims to be a space for connection, history, and regional pride. Helen Robinson has stepped into the role of Commercial and Partnerships team

* SH1 Tay Street eastbound in Invercargill closed overnight for asphalt renewal on 23 February. * Multiple Southland highways undergoing resurfacing, pavement repairs, and third-party works with traffic management. * Road closures scheduled for Pyramid Waiparu Road and Nightcaps Opio Road for culvert replacement. Road users in Invercargill and Southland should prepare for

* New Zealand recorded a net loss of 47,100 Kiwis, the largest in a single year. * Departures of young people aged 18 to 30 made up 38% of migrant exits. * Net migration gain fell to 27,100, significantly lower than the 128,300 recorded in 2023. New Zealand’s net

* Government proposes reducing Warrant of Fitness checks for vintage vehicles and private motorhomes to yearly. * Southlanders, known for their passion for classic vehicles, will welcome the proposed changes. * Public consultation on the proposed changes runs from 24 February to 4 April 2025. The Government is seeking public input on a

* The Southern Charity Hospital, inspired by Blair Vining, will officially open on 28 February. * A community celebration will honour supporters and showcase the hospital’s impact on southern healthcare. * The hospital will begin with colonoscopies, addressing urgent needs in bowel cancer diagnosis. The long-awaited Southern Charity Hospital, the vision of

How much time and money have you spent shaving, waxing, or tweezing? For most of us, hair removal feels like a never-ending chore. But what if you could stop worrying about it altogether? Laser hair removal is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those looking for long-term solutions, but many

Southland conservation areas, including Stewart Island’s Rakiura and Fiordland National Parks, will get a funding boost as part of a $30 million Government investment across the country to improve local attractions, enhance facilities, and protect our unique natural environment, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says. “The funding will be used