A new Local Government Commission investigation is underway into the reorganisation of the four Southland councils. A proposal from the Southland District Council to create two Unitary Councils - joining with Gore to oversee regional council functions, and keeping Invercargill as a city-based one, would see  Environment Southland cut out.

UPDATE 10:05am: Highway is now open. Police and emergency services are attending a crash involving at least four vehicles on Bluff Highway, between Awarua Siding Road and Stanley Township Road. The crash occurred at approximately 8.10am today. One of the vehicles is currently blocking both lanes, and motorists

• Work to replace Invercargill Transfer Station weighbridge is expected to take about a month • Temporary traffic measures will be in place using traffic lights to guide all vehicles • Public asked to delay non-urgent rubbish drop-offs to help minimise disruption Work to upgrade the Invercargill Transfer Station will soon begin, with

Fifteen Lotto players each won $17,357 in tonight’s live Second Division draw. One player also won Powerball Second Division, making their total prize $35,030. The winning Powerball Second Division ticket was sold at Woolworths Ashburton South in Ashburton. Winners included players from Invercargill, with Lotto NZ encouraging

* New scheme will let trusted builders and plumbers sign off their own simple work * Faster inspection targets aim to reduce costly delays for building projects across New Zealand * Changes expected to deliver thousands of homes annually without lengthy approval bottlenecks The Government has announced major changes to speed up home

* Nargis Girhotra will represent Southland youth at the 2025 Youth Parliament event * She brings wide community experience from leadership roles and volunteer activities * Her advocacy focuses on mental health, education, and climate change issues affecting youth Nargis Girhotra, a dedicated student leader from Invercargill, is preparing to represent her region

A person has sadly died following a workplace incident at the Te Anau transfer station on the Manapouri-Te Anau Highway late Friday (3rd May) afternoon. Emergency services were called to the site at around 3.30pm, but the person tragically died at the scene. Police have confirmed the death will

* Sir Bob Jones passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a brief illness * He built a vast property empire and founded the New Zealand Party to challenge government * Sir Bob was a lifelong boxing fan, commentator, and published author of twenty six books Sir Bob Jones, a