Southland
Community concerned about wellbeing of Waiau River
A dispute between the Waiau Rivercare Group in Southland and Meridian Energy over the health and flow levels in the Waiau River has been at a low ebb, but both parties are keen to bridge the gap. Audio
Mayor says a call for his resignation is 'disappointing'
Since Ben Bell was elected as Gore's Mayor the council has been beset by controversies and discord. Those calling on him to resign include the deputy mayor and six other councillors.
Dozens of muttonbirds fall from sky in storm
Freezing gale force winds are believed to be behind the downing of hundreds of tītī (muttonbirds) in Central Otago, northern Southland and the Lakes District on Wednesday night.
Nau Mai Town - Episode 9: Timaru
Timaru is a small town in South Canterbury which has two lesser-known names - Te Maru and Te Tihi o Maru. Justine Murray finds out more. Audio
Snow begins settling in Southland
Snow started to settle in Southland on Wednesday afternoon as the first taste of winter began to bite.
Heavy rain warnings for northern and western parts of NZ
Streams and rivers are rising and flooding has been reported in North Taranaki, Civil Defence says. Audio
Teen employee 'left in tears' by comments from councillor
In her resignation letter, the 18-year-old said Nigel Skelt suggested she would enjoy jelly wrestling naked and she was "a bikini and beach type of girl", which unsettled her.
Henry the tuatara's handler of 52 years retires
Lindsay Hazley met Henry back in 1970, then a schoolboy volunteering at Southland Museum. Audio
Around the motu: Che Baker in Invercargill
Che talks to Kathryn about why Southern mayors can't keep out of the news, the intentional poisoning of trees, Henry the tuatara's keeper calls it a day after 52 years and the Routeburn Classic Trail… Audio
Chalky Island stoat caught after eight-month campaign
But there are fears another one might be threatening wildlife on a nearby island.
Hundreds of cars reportedly block highway in late-night gathering, one arrested
More than 300 cars were reported driving dangerously at a Western Bay of Plenty road gathering Saturday night, with one person arrested and a pedestrian injured.
3 arrests after cannabis growing sites found deep in Central Otago wilderness
Three people are facing charges after what police say is one of the most significant operations in Central Otago in recent years.
Healthy home for chooks at clifftop egg farm
When Anna Penn's flock of 3,000 hardy hens stop pecking and look up, they can watch waves crashing into the shore. They're residents at New Zealand's southernmost commercial egg farm, overlooking Te… Audio
'The people in the report aren't just numbers': Widow reacts to damning cancer treatment probe
Melissa Vining's husband, Blair, was told he had to wait longer to see a specialist than he had time to live, a highly critical investigation has found. Audio
Dunedin Hospital rebuild: Will it live up to expectations?
Dunedin was promised a brand spanking new hospital - but will cutbacks compromise it? Audio
Questions over timing of Gore council chief executive's reappointment
One of the men at the centre of the stand-off at Gore District Council was given a two-year contract extension just two days before the new council was elected.
Aluminium smelter and Meridian strike power deal, subject to approval
Meridian can require the smelter to cut demand when the electricity system is under stress - for a fee.
Southland renewable energy strategy out for public consultation
The Southland Regional Development Agency is predicting the area will need to produce as much energy in the next 15 years as it has done in the past 130.
Veteran councillor resigns over 'unsustainable anxiety'
Sixth-term councillor Bret Highsted has resigned from the Gore District Council - where the mayor and chief executive's relationship has got to the point they're no longer on speaking terms.
Local Government NZ 'very aware' of Gore council ructions
The relationship between Gore mayor Ben Bell and the council's chief executive Stephen Parry has broken down to the point where they need an intermediary. Now, LGNZ says it's liaising with the pair.
