Southland
Celebrations as historic Fiordland viaduct reopens
More than 50 people, including Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage, flew into Fiordland to mark the reopening of Percy Burn Viaduct - the world's highest surviving wooden bridge. Video, Audio
51 whales dead after mass stranding on Chatham Islands
Up to 90 pilot whales were stranded last night in the Chatham Islands, but 40 were able to refloat themselves. When the Department of Conservation arrived, all but one of the 51 remaining whales were… Video, Audio
Plan to treble Stewart Island's visitor levy slammed
The proposal to triple the country's only regional tourist tax could discourage cruise ships from visiting, council warned.
145 whales die after stranding on Stewart Island
While 145 pilot whales died after stranding on Stewart Island, Department of Conservation says its focus is on saving killer whales that stranded on 90 Mile Beach. Video, Audio
'Bring the birdsong home to Bluff'
A Southland community is rallying to protect one of the last remaining mainland muttonbird colonies left in New Zealand.
Four dead after three motorcycle crashes
Three motorcyclists who died in crashes this afternoon were taking part in two separate charity events.
Heavy rain expected for West Coast
Civil Defence West Coast is warning people to prepare for possible flooding and landslides, particularly in Westland.
New $235k bore to help address Gore water shortage
Gore may have found a solution to its water shortage in the lead up to summer.
Wanaka police name third victim of fatal helicopter crash
Wanaka police have now named all three men killed in a helicopter crash yesterday. Audio
Shark cage diving with Sarah Dowie
MPs who aren't ministers gamble with a biscuit tin to get their own legislation turned into law. Phil Smith chats with Sarah Dowie about her bill. Video
Rare kiwi chicks fighting fit for release
Five rare kiwi chicks will be released back into their Southland home now they are heavy enough to fight off stoats alone.
Oamaru courthouse to reopen after strengthening costs slashed
Oamaru' historic courthouse will officially reopen tomorrow, seven years after it was closed after it was deemed earthquake-prone. Video, Audio
Wanaka to get first KiwiBuild homes in South Island
The first KiwiBuild homes in the South Island will be built in Wanaka.
Fears tripling visitor levy could damage island's tourism
A proposed tripling of Stewart Island's visitor levy is expected to provoke heated debate when it goes to public consultation next month.
So much snow in Otago even skifields forced to close
Alongside closed skifields, Queenstown flights were cancelled or delayed and there were power outages across the region due to snow-loaded tree branches coming down on lines. Video, Audio
Man still missing after dinghy flipped in Southland yesterday
A 25-year-old man remains missing after a dinghy overturned in a Southland estuary yesterday.
Search called off for man missing from a boat which sank
The search has been called off for the night, for a man missing from a boat which sank in a Southland river.
Man arrested in Invercargill after police officer assaulted
A police officer in Invercargill was assaulted and knocked unconscious early this morning.
Union admonish meatworks' hiring overseas workers
Alliance Group is under fire over a decision to bring in 100 overseas workers for its Southland plants
Alliance meatworks hiring 100 overseas workers
New Zealand Meatworkers Union says there are plenty of local workers vying for jobs that could now be going to overseas workers, but the company says it's recruiting to cover a worker shortage. Audio
