Southland

A southern council says it needs to "draw the line" with a community over its old dumpsite.

The Christmas street lights will shine for the last time this year as decorations are deteriorating and won't be replaced because council want to keep the next rate increase low.

Invercargill councillors voted to proceed with a short-term consent which would allow the small town's wastewater to continue under current conditions for a further two years.

A cyclist is reported to have serious injuries.

A teen who held his victims hostage at a remote Southland farmhouse with an airgun has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

Drivers are being urged to take extra care on South Island roads, and warned that roads could close, as heavy rain and wind warnings spread orange and yellow across the MetService map.

A southern council is defending its $34,000 spend on a wallaby hunt, despite never finding the rogue animal.

A southern mayor fears lives could be at risk amid a funding shortfall for his region's roads.

The crash reported on State Highway 94 just before midday injured several people, one critically.

Last week, Joan Scarlet of Winton caught her 109th possum - her diary helps her keep count.

Better options are available in urban centres but not in rural areas in regions like Southland, the doctor says. Audio

A team of scientists has found "an extra-deep layer of the Earth where earthquakes can occur" beneath the region.

Federated Farmers president blames financial efficiency for the proposed cutbacks. Audio

The government has set aside close to 9000 hectares for Ngāi Tahu and the Crown to assess for offshore aquaculture in Southland.

The 24-year-old produced a strong final day in the 68th edition of the tour, adding his name to an elite list of riders who have won the fabled event multiple times.

Three councils' work cars caught speeding more than 1400 times with one driver clocked 41km/h over the posted limit.

A yellow envelope containing patient information was misplaced, which meant hospital staff who were treating the man - who died of a brain haemorrhage - were not aware that he was on blood thinners.

Save Our Southern Hospital Campaign is hitting Wellington on Wednesday, where Cliff the Ambulance will deliver a petition to Parliament.

Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark says he would rather operate Bluff's wastewater network on an expired consent than "gallop ahead" of water reforms.