Southland farmers have been given an 18-month reprieve on freshwater farm plan deadlines as the government overhauls what it calls a flawed system. The original May 2026 deadline for submitting farm plans under regional rules has been pushed back to November 2027, giving farmers breathing room while new national standards

Patient advocates are calling for a full independent review of Invercargill's Awanui Labs after doctors twice failed to detect cancer in a 74-year-old woman's biopsies. The retired nurse died a year after her stomach cancer diagnosis was delayed by nine months, despite multiple biopsies containing cancer

Fuel thieves have targeted two Winton businesses within 12 hours, drilling holes in fuel tanks to steal diesel as petrol prices soar. Police are investigating whether the thefts at a vegetable stall and mechanic's workshop on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning are connected. Wilson's Vege Stall

An Invercargill parks planner has been recognised as the country's best at a national awards ceremony. Invercargill City Council Senior Open Spaces Planner Cassandra Horton was named Parks Leader of the Year at the 2026 Recreation Aotearoa Parks Awards in Hamilton last Thursday. The award recognises exceptional leadership

Invercargill teenager Cormac Buchanan's Barcelona Grand Prix ended almost before it began after a racing incident forced him into the gravel trap on the opening lap. The Southland rider had struggled to find his rhythm all weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya but was confident in his race

Police are investigating a motorcycle crash in Strathern yesterday morning that left a rider seriously injured. Acting Inspector Mel Robertson, Southland Area Prevention Manager, said officers spotted a motorcyclist riding without a helmet on Pomona Street around 7.15am on 17 May and signalled him to stop. "The motorcyclist

Te Hikoi Museum is seeking artists for its fourth annual Art Challenge, which celebrates the museum's extensive collection of artefacts. "We are looking forward to another diverse round of artistic expressions, and we are excited to again be supported by Southland District Creative Communities Fund to bring

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel extended their winning streak to five games with a commanding 52-43 victory over the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Wellington on Sunday. The Southland team came out firing, establishing a 9-2 lead within six minutes and forcing an early timeout from the home