* Invercargill councillors adopted the reserve management plan for Donovan Park after recent consultation * The move allows the process to begin for removing reserve status from part of the land * Only 26 submissions were received, with mixed views on potential sale and land use change Invercargill City Council has taken another

* A helicopter will fly low over rivers in Southland to collect environmental mapping data * Bathymetric LiDAR technology will help create high-resolution 3D maps of local riverbeds and estuaries * The project supports tsunami modelling, marine research and public access to environmental information A low-flying helicopter will be seen over parts of

The pilot recycling bin inspection across Southland has seen hundreds of properties tagged for either low level or significant contamination. Editors note: The inspections are for the recycling bins, if in doubt put it in the red bin!We have updated the headline and story to avoid confusion. A report

* Government reveals first national long-term plan to upgrade New Zealand’s public health facilities * More than $20 billion to be invested in new hospitals and infrastructure over several stages * Dunedin Hospital’s next construction phase confirmed, with tendering underway for mid-year restart New Zealand has released its first-ever long-term Health

• Rugby Southland announced a $177,000 surplus, boosted by one-off national funding support • CEO and Chair stress cautious optimism as operational gains still face national funding pressures • New President Rex Carter steps in, bringing strong grassroots focus and board experience Rugby Southland has posted a financial surplus of $177,000

* MENZSHED members gathered in Invercargill for a three-day national conference celebrating connection * Health expo brought vital services and support directly to members in an informal setting * Local attractions and Southland hospitality helped round out a successful and well-supported event MENZSHED NEW ZEALAND members from around the country came together in

Rodents and a contracter have brought down many internet and phone services for the lower South Island, after the two main fibre cables supplying the area were severed on the same day. One New Zealand has confirmed rodents chewed through a fibre cable near Dunedin, while the area's

* Investigation finds master of Fiordland Navigator likely fell asleep due to fatigue * Operator RealNZ criticised for poor fatigue management and safety monitoring systems * Company has since improved policies, staffing and oversight to prevent future incidents The pilot of the Fiordland Navigator was likely asleep when the vessel ran aground in