Homeowners wanting to build a garden shed, garage, or sleepout on their property can now do so with fewer delays and less paperwork, following new changes to building rules. The Government has updated the setback rules in the Building Act, making it easier for people to make use of their

* Jeremy McPhail was elected unopposed as the new chair of Environment Southland. * Phil Morrison was named deputy chair, both receiving unanimous support from the new council. * Committee chair appointments will be finalised at the next Ordinary Meeting on 20 November. Environment Southland’s new council held its first official meeting

* ACT claims the new history curriculum removes political bias and restores educational balance * David Seymour says the changes move students away from “victims-and-villains” historical framing * Broader topics like Ancient Greece and Rome added to spark wider historical interest in students New Zealand’s draft Year 1–10 school curriculum has

• Power and water issues continue but community support and generator sharing is easing pressure • Welfare teams remain active checking residents and maintaining support at community hubs • Surrey Park in Invercargill has reopened but all other city parks remain closed for safety Southland is continuing its recovery following severe weather that

* Thousands of homes across Otago and Southland remained without power as of midday Tuesday * Cold and snowy weather is making power restoration work more difficult for field crews * PowerNet is prioritising critical sites and urging residents to seek support if needed Work continued across Otago and Southland on Tuesday to

An artificial intelligence (AI) scribe tool will be rolled out to 1000 doctors and frontline staff working in emergency departments across the country, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Delivering modern health infrastructure, including digital tools that make a real difference for patients and staff, is a priority for the Government,

Southland Recovery Update – Tuesday 28 October, 11.10am A state of emergency remains in place for Southland, with the emergency response expected to continue through this week. Controller Update “Our key priorities continue to be restoring power to lifelines — telecommunications, water, and wastewater; addressing community and animal welfare needs; and

Support For Exhausted Farmers Increases Fast* Over 200 Southland dairy farms are still using generators to keep milking operations running * Support hubs offer food, showers and laundry to help isolated and exhausted rural residents * PowerNet and emergency teams continue working to restore power and support communication More than 200 dairy