Councillor investigated over alleged assault
A councillor in his 80s under investigation for an alleged assault has admitted being ‘‘a bit naughty’’.
Regions
Man arrested over 855 litre Southland petrol theft
Man arrested over 855 litre Southland petrol theft
Invercargill police have arrested a local man after 855 litres of petrol was stolen from a contractor’s yard over the last month.
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Felling of mature kānuka trees angers landscape designer
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Felling of mature kānuka trees angers landscape designer
At least 100 mature kānuka trees have been felled in a grove in a Wānaka suburb in an apparent attempt to make mountain-bike trails, leaving a local green-space specialist ‘‘devastated’’.
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Woman fled via window to get help after assault
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Woman fled via window to get help after assault
A Queenstown woman locked herself in her bathroom and climbed out the window to get help from a neighbour after being assaulted by her partner last month.
Sawmill begins $115m expansion
Sawmill begins $115m expansion
Southland -based Niagara Sawmilling Company has begun a $115 million expansion of its timber processing operations, marking the largest growth phase in the company’s 91-year history.
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Gold mine, wine industry can co-exist: Santana
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Gold mine, wine industry can co-exist: Santana
Santana Minerals says its mine would annually make 36 times what the region’s wine industry does and the two can co-exist.
Man snapped leaving 'suspicious item' at Oamaru property
Man snapped leaving 'suspicious item' at Oamaru property
A man who tried to get into an Oamaru property late at night left a "suspicious item" behind, police say.
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Kaiwera Downs wind farm ahead of schedule
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Kaiwera Downs wind farm ahead of schedule
Work is rolling along on the second stage of the Kaiwera Downs wind farm and it is hoped to have everything up and running by the end of winter.
Sign of a possible crime
Sign of a possible crime
A speed monitoring sign on State Highway 1 in Waihola appears to have been ripped from its post, snapped and left to the elements on the side of the road.
Fine fleece on display
Fine fleece on display
WS Hickey & Son staffer Steve Matheson looks over the fleeces at the 2026 New Zealand National Golden Fleece Exhibition hosted by the Central Otago A&P Association at WS Hickey & Son...
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Storm helped drive big claims rise
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Storm helped drive big claims rise
Of the record 46 storms to hit NZ over the past 12 months, Otago and Southland’s October 2025 windstorm was the most damaging, helping drive an ‘‘astounding’’ 256% increase in claims nationwide.
Keys of new event centre handed over to mayor
Keys of new event centre handed over to mayor
The keys to the new $31 million Network Waitaki Event Centre were handed over to the district’s mayor yesterday.
Ex-Mob boss fights Crown attempt to seize Mataura 'gang-pad'
Ex-Mob boss fights Crown attempt to seize Mataura 'gang-pad'
A former Mongrel Mob president is fighting the confiscation of what the Crown calls his "gang pad", saying it is a place where family and friends gather and likening it to a marae.
How much have fees and charges increased over the last decade?
How much have fees and charges increased over the last decade?
Consultation is underway in Invercargill on proposed fees and charges for the coming year, as councils across the country face similar decisions.
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Submitters, miner to be heard in-person
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Submitters, miner to be heard in-person
Hearings for Santana Minerals’ proposed Central Otago goldmine will be held in-person because of the "intensity" of local interest, the panel considering the application says.
Doc asks community to help protect kea from lead poisoning
Doc asks community to help protect kea from lead poisoning
The Department of Conservation is calling on South Westland communities to help protect kea from lead poisoning.
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Store’s anniversary marked with woollen wonders
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Store’s anniversary marked with woollen wonders
Fleece, fashion and everything in between was the theme of WS Hickey & Son’s 70 years in business celebration on Saturday.
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Autumn festival events ‘amazing’
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Autumn festival events ‘amazing’
It might have been the first Arrowtown Autumn Festival in recent years where the vista was framed by snow-capped mountains.
Retired Southland nurse dies after cancer missed twice
Retired Southland nurse dies after cancer missed twice
A retired Invercargill nurse with persistent gastrointestinal bleeding died from stomach cancer after pathologists failed to detect the disease in two different biopsies.
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Third attempt at fast track successful
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Third attempt at fast track successful
It is third time lucky for an Australian developer whose fast-track application for a large residential suburb and skifield near Queenstown has been accepted after two failed attempts.