Mike Sanford

• Police discovered multiple illicit drugs and cash hidden inside a high value motorhome near Invercargill. • Accused fifty one year old allegedly supplied methamphetamine and illegally possessed ammunition alongside other narcotics. • Officers now seek forfeiture of the two hundred thousand dollar vehicle through Proceeds of Crime. Police across Southland have closed

• Invercargill sees its first open mayoral race without an incumbent in decades. • Twenty-seven council hopefuls join the election alongside board and trust candidates. • Voting begins in early September with several opportunities to cast ballots across the city. Invercargill is set for a competitive election season with eight candidates entering the

* Invercargill chocolatier Jane Stanton created special treats to support Cancer Society fundraising efforts. * Chocolates feature artwork by fellow cancer survivor Janet de Wagt for Daffodil Day. * Original artwork will also be auctioned to raise additional funds for cancer support. Jane Stanton, owner of the Invercargill-based Seriously Good Chocolate Company, has

The Southland Business Chamber has revealed 33 finalists across 12 hotly‑contested categories in the 2025 Datagrid Southland Business Excellence Awards. After a record 135 entries, judges spent six weeks poring over submissions that showcased the strength, resilience and innovation of our region’s enterprises. “This year’s entries reflect

Ready to organise your dream project? The Southland Home Show gathers 100+ specialists this weekend—from finance whiz Mandy Jordan from Mortgage & Insurance Supply Southland to JB Hi‑Fi’s tech crew and Awarua Synergy’s energy‑saving pros—plus scores of experts in kitchens, bathrooms, décor, outdoor living

* New Zealand coasts faced tsunami threats after strong earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. * Emergency officials warned of unpredictable surges and strong currents lasting several hours overnight. * Tsunami alerts also issued in Hawaii, Japan, US west coast, Philippines and Indonesia. Emergency Management in New Zealand issued a national advisory

* Sir Michael Hill built an international jewellery empire starting with a single Whangarei store. * He founded a prestigious violin competition and created The Hills golf course near Arrowtown. * Tributes praised his creativity, mentorship, philanthropy and inspiration to generations of Kiwi entrepreneurs. Sir Michael Hill, the founder of the iconic Michael

Lower interest rates, stronger dairy and meat prices, and reduced regulations have lifted farmer confidence to its highest level in nearly a decade, according to Federated Farmers’ latest six-monthly Farm Confidence Survey. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford said, “Farming families have been through some really tough years recently and that’