Organisers of the inaugural Sandy Point Backyard Ultra marathon last weekend were excited to introduce a new event to Invercargill. One of now 14 backyard ultra events around the country, the Sandy Point Ultra is held every year on the second weekend of January. Organised by Patrick and Joanna Manulat,

* Toxic algae identified in Waihopai River, posing risks to people and animals. * Residents urged to avoid algae and monitor other regional waterways for contamination. * Waiau River alert remains active near Excelsior Creek despite removal in Kennington. Toxic algae have been detected in the Waihopai River upstream of Queen’s Drive,

* Police arrested a Tapanui man on multiple drug charges after a long investigation. * The 25-year-old is linked to drug offences across Southland, Otago, and Central Otago. * Further arrests are possible, and police urge the public to share information anonymously. A 25-year-old man from Tapanui has been arrested and charged with

Debs Shirley has hung up her squash racquet one final time and admits she feels very lucky to have fallen in love with her chosen sport, twice. Debs made her announcement “with a heavy heart” at the Squash Southland awards, calling time on a career notable for a long list

* A Dunedin man was arrested after an air ambulance helicopter burglary investigation. * The suspect allegedly stole a bag of critical medical supplies from the helicopter. * Police say the man is connected to two other burglaries in the area. A 31-year-old Dunedin man is facing several charges after being linked to

* Yellow-eyed penguin nest numbers on mainland New Zealand have fallen by 80% since 2008. * Fewer than 100 chicks remain across Stewart Island and the mainland this season. * Conservation efforts aim to prevent the species' extinction within two decades. Yellow-eyed penguins, one of the rarest penguins in the world and

Mayor Nobby Clark has a big challenge ahead of him this year, proposing rates increases of just 2.3% - among the lowest of all councils in the country. A report from him will go to the Invercargill City Council for its first meeting of the year in late January,

Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee reminds the public that they now have an opportunity to have their say on the rewrite of the Arms Act 1983. “As flagged prior to Christmas, the consultation period for the Arms Act rewrite has opened today and will run through until 28 February 2025,