News Desk

Three candidates will contest Southland District’s mayoralty in the October local government elections.The sitting Mayor Rob Scott is being challenged for the position by his predecessor, Gary Tong, and Wendy Joy Baker. When nominations closed at midday today all the vacant positions – mayor, councillor, and community board positions

* Sixteen candidates confirmed for upcoming Gore District Council election scheduled for October. * Mayoral race features Ben Bell seeking re-election against former councillor Nicky Davis. * Mataura Community Board short of nominees, triggering an additional by-election for one seat. The Gore District Council will hold elections in October, with positions across the

Nominations for candidates for Environment Southland closed today for the 2025 local body elections, with 18 nominations received. Nominations For Invercargill City Council (final list)2025 LOCAL BODY ELECTION CANDIDATES – INVERCARGILL Nominations have closed. Mayoralty (1 vacancy) * Bond, Ria (Independent) * Campbell, Tom * Chernishov, Stevey * Clark, Andrew * Crackett, Alex (Independent) * Morton,

Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is overseeing huge changes to New Zealand's vocational education system. But after years of reform, could training providers stand alone as Te Pūkenga is dismantled? Related: OPINION: Putting Polytechnics Back in Local HandsBy Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for Vocational Education Vocational education is

Surcharges on in-store payments will be banned by May 2026 to ease costs for consumers. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson said the change would help New Zealanders save millions annually and make shopping more straightforward. “Surcharges are a hassle and an unwelcome surprise when shoppers get to the

Vocational Education Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced the appointment of Yvonne Browning MNZM to a vacant position on the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). “I am pleased to confirm the appointment of Mrs Browning to this role. She is passionate about ensuring students, particularly young women, can realise

Due to work on the PowerNet Awarua Network Project, Motu Rimu Road will be closed from SH1 Bluff Highway to Tiwai Road from Thursday 24th July through to Tuesday 29th July. - No access from SH1 Bluff highway to Motu Rimu Road - No access from Motu Rimu Road to

The iconic brown trout statue in Gore has been defaced in a protest led by Greenpeace, drawing sharp criticism from Federated Farmers and sparking fresh debate over water quality and environmental activism. On Tuesday night, Greenpeace added cartoon-style crosses over the statue’s eyes and altered the nearby welcome sign