Southland

With Southland under a state of emergency, a remote town's water treatment plant has stopped working, leaving eight hours' drinking water in the reservoir.

A letter from the mayor, his deputy and the outgoing chief executive expressed concern "re-examination of the past may reignite" the problems.

Police have arrested seven people related to the unlawful possession of and supply of firearms and drugs.

Emergency services were called to a blaze in a commercial building in Dee Street just before 1am on Wednesday.

It has been a fraught term for the local government stalwart ever since Ben Bell was elected as the district's mayor

The quality of Bluff oysters in Foveaux Strait was "terrible" this season, with many oysters appearing to starve to death in the ocean, an experienced fisherman says.

Historic toxic aluminium dross waste found at a coal mine near Gore is "low risk", but a possible second site is also being investigated, Southland's regional council says.

A review has been ordered into the police investigation following the death of 3-year-old Lachlan Jones, who was found dead in a sewage pond in 2019.

Southland protesters who chained themselves to historic trees say they are disappointed they could not save them from the chopping block.

Geotechnical findings have shown a significant risk that more heavy rain could trigger landslides, sending debris towards Fiordland's Deep Cove camp and hostel.

Conservationists have set their sights on a new home for New Zealand's rarest parakeet species, to help boost its population.

The Avalanche Advisory has issued warnings for dangerous conditions in several alpine ranges.

Gore Mayor Ben Bell says his relationship with council chief executive Stephen Parry is "perfectly fine".

A panel said it declined the necessary resource consents with a heavy heart, citing environmental concerns.

Daniel Wallis has been jailed for just over three years for the manslaughter of his five-month old-daughter.

Police are appealing for information on the firearms incident in the suburb of Heidelberg.

There are more than 2.5 million feral cats living in Aotearoa, a number that is climbing.

They were reportedly caught after unsuccessfully trying to goad police into a chase.

A band of rain and wind is set to dampen the first of this week's FIFA Women's World Cup games in Auckland. Audio

Children who spent the night lost in Southland bush could hear searchers calling for them as they hunkered down to survive the cold conditions.