The first water of the North Otago Irrigation Company's $57million pipeline expansion was turned on at a Weston farm yesterday.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has approved Invercargill City Council's use of a controversial captive bolt gun to euthanise impounded dogs.

Southern voters have every right to feel neglected during the 2017 campaign, with few visits by the two leaders of the major parties, Prime Minister Bill English and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern.

The final leaders debate between Prime Minister Bill English and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern reflected the final 1News Colmar Brunton poll in volatility.

New Zealand's current account deficit has narrowed to 2.8% of gross domestic product (GDP), underpinned by tourism, as expected by most analysts.

Fonterra's fortnightly GlobalDairyTrade auction ticked up, with the overall price index rising 0.9% against the previous auction.

An Alexandra orchardist is planning to almost double the area of fruit trees he has in production to meet the increasing worldwide demand for organic fruit.

Contractors are making urgent repairs to the deck of the existing Kawarau Falls bridge.

Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft has exhorted school principals to show ''moral courage'' and stand up for New Zealand's children.

Queenstown freediver Kathryn Nevatt (38), pictured with men's freedive champion Guy Brew, from Titahi Bay, has retained her national freediving champion title.

Lisa Scott reflects on seven months of having to hitchhike.

Over the past two weeks we’ve looked at paying an allowance for being part of Team Family, writes Ian Munro.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will set aside their long-time rivalry when they play for Europe against the rest of the world in the inaugural Laver Cup tournament which starts on Friday.

Green Island has defeated West Taieri 37-17 in the promotion-relegation game at Forsyth Barr Stadium to hold on to its premier status.

Anna Grimaldi was in pain during the world para-athletics championships in July, but she had no idea she was jumping with a broken foot.

Fonterra's fortnightly GlobalDairyTrade auction ticked up, with the overall price index rising 0.9% against the previous auction.

Annabel Bulk, of Felton Road Wines, has one more chance to win the national Young Viticulturist of the Year title next year before she is too old to enter. She intends to give it her best shot.

Five months after the first hearing was held, only one week remains for Southland's Water and Land Plan hearings.

A strong magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Vanuatu's Erromango island in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey said.