Rodents and a contracter have brought down many internet and phone services for the lower South Island, after the two main fibre cables supplying the area were severed on the same day. One New Zealand has confirmed rodents chewed through a fibre cable near Dunedin, while the area's

* Investigation finds master of Fiordland Navigator likely fell asleep due to fatigue * Operator RealNZ criticised for poor fatigue management and safety monitoring systems * Company has since improved policies, staffing and oversight to prevent future incidents The pilot of the Fiordland Navigator was likely asleep when the vessel ran aground in

Seven youth have been arrested following a number of recent burglaries in the Gore area. Between 5pm Monday 7 April and 8am Tuesday 8 April, Gore Police received reports of multiple reports of burglaries in the Main Street area. After making a number of enquiries into the incidents, Police identified

A high-level appointment has been made to the committee overseeing more than $100 million of shares in Bluff’s port. Cassandra Crowley, an independent director of South Port since 2023, has been named to Environment Southland’s newly formed Investment Committee. Crowley, a Rotorua-based chartered accountant and lawyer, adds this

* Southland Sports Awards return with a revamped format focused on inclusiveness and accessibility * Event aims to spotlight achievements across a broad range of sporting disciplines and communities * Athlete with a Disability Award introduced to celebrate excellence in adaptive sport The ILT Southland Sports Awards are back with a fresh new

* New award honours late business leader Reece McDonald and his community contributions * Nominations open from 15 April to 15 May on the Chamber’s official website * Public voting begins 1 June, with the winner revealed at September’s gala dinner The Southland Business Chamber has introduced a new award to

* Buchanan crashed out after running near the front in a strong Moto3 performance * Despite the fall, he set his fastest lap of the weekend during the Qatar race * The 18-year-old Kiwi remains optimistic heading into the next round in Spain New Zealand motorcycle racer Cormac Buchanan was forced to sit

* Government proposes scrapping second practical test for full driver licence by mid-2026 * Eyesight test requirements could be cut to reduce unnecessary repetition during licensing process * Tougher safety rules to ensure restricted drivers stay offence-free before progressing New Zealand’s driver licence system is set for a major shake-up, with the