In 2024, Group ILT approved more than $400,000 in funding towards supporting Southland's talent across various fields, from international competitions to tertiary education. Twenty-six scholarships were awarded to help 40 Southlanders selected to represent New Zealand on the world stage. These grants totalled more than $50,000

* Homelessness in Te Anau is rising, with no long-term support options available * Lack of affordable homes and increasing short-term rentals add to the housing problem * Community feedback highlights social housing needs and potential solutions for future growth Homelessness in Te Anau is on the rise, with no long-term support systems

Eighteen-year-old Invercargill racing driver Alex Crosbie lines up at Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend as he begins his campaign in the 2025 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (CTFROC). The series attracts some of the best up and coming motor racing talent from around the globe and Crosbie will

An Invercargill family had to swim for 45 minutes to shore from Bluff harbour to the wharf last week, after their catamaran became swamped with water. Autoplex owner Daniel Blain said the family had borrowed some life jackets from him and were going to take their boat out to give

* Vandals left wet toilet paper plastered across Riverton's newly built $620,000 public toilets * Southland Council’s frustrated post called vandals ‘brainless numpty’ after second incident in weeks * Staff say identifying culprits is difficult as damage often happens under cover of darkness The Southland District Council has called

Noah has once again topped the list as the most popular baby name for boys in New Zealand in 2024, retaining its number one spot for the second year in a row. On the girls' side, Isla has reclaimed the top position, making a notable return after narrowly missing

* Invercargill City Mayor hails return of SIT as a win for students. * Government to reinstate standalone polytechnics from January 2026. * Vocational education system redesign aims to strengthen regional economies. The return of the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) as an autonomous institution has sparked optimism in Invercargill. Mayor Nobby Clark,

Southerners are in for a treat when Round 5 of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship comes to Teretonga Park in Invercargill over the weekend of 1st & 2nd February. The Ascot Park Hotel Teretonga Park International will host top-class international drivers as the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (CTFROC)