Southland
'Don't say I neglected my child', mother tells inquest into son's death
An emotionally charged inquest into the death of Lachlan Jones has exposed ructions between his separated parents and accusations his body was dumped. Audio
Inquest begins for toddler found dead in Gore wastewater ponds
The coroner says the boy's death is unimaginable and he hopes the inquest will find answers.
ANZ Premiership Netball: Silver Fern Maddy Gordon injured as Pulse overcome Southern Steel
The Central Pulse withstood a Southern Steel onslaught to prevail 54-46 in their ANZ Premiership Netball match in Wellington.
Inquest begins after toddler found dead in the town's wastewater ponds
A coronial inquest into the death of a Gore toddler found in the town's wastewater treatment ponds is set to start in the Invercargill District Court .
Southland teens 'stayed put and followed instructions' - police
The five boys were rescued overnight after getting lost on the Makarewa Falls track in the Hokonui Hills.
Quick thinking helps save bush-walking teenagers lost in the dark
The five were walking on Makarewa Falls track in the Hokonui Hills, near Gore, but lost their way after dark.
Injured man gives up waiting for help after seven hours at hospital ED
Facing an all-night wait, Binn Wharton went home. By the time he was seen the next day, he was nauseous, shaking and needed IV antibiotics. Audio
Churches look to ditch insurance over high costs
Some Catholic churches are ditching traditional insurance policies - and say the money could be better used elsewhere. Audio
Wilding pine work 'will go backwards' with reduced funding
Land cleared of the pest plants is now "prime for re-infestation".
Proposed 21.4% rates rise hardest issue for problem-ridden council
Councillors spent Tuesday going through a list of what it could cut to get the rates rise down from an initial 40 percent increase.
Deputy mayor almost steps aside over misunderstanding
The incident involved an email referring to an investigation into a combined Three Waters entity for Otago and Southland.
'Gone berserk': Vandals plague public toilets
A public toilet block in a small town is battling ongoing vandalism, forcing the council to explore new solutions.
Bright aurora light up Southern photographers
Two nights of bright aurora have had night photographers running for their cameras to capture the multicoloured skies.
Complainants tight-lipped over Invercargill mayor’s apology
The two councillors who lodged a code of conduct complaint against Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark will not comment on his recent apology.
Around the motu: Tess Brunton in Dunedin
North Otago gold mine OceanaGold has unveiled a fully electric excavator and the race is on to secure a water supply for the Otago town of Lawrence. Audio
Invercargill down to just one parking warden
A councillor says delivery drivers are openly flouting parking rules in the absence of anyone to police them.
Invercargill Mayor facing investigation over use of racial slur
Nobby Clark has come under fire following an interview he gave comedian Guy Williams, which has been described as a "train wreck" by one of his elected members.
Rain warnings remain in south as bad weather hits north
More rain is forecast to fall on the West Coast overnight and orange heavy rain warnings remain in place for Buller, Westland and Southland.
Southern hospitals' move to new patient admin system 'particularly challenging'
Older infrastructure has also complicated the transition, says Health New Zealand.
'Heavy, long-lasting rain' to pile in on West Coast - MetService
Emergency Management teams are ramping up ahead of a major weather system set to bring days of heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country from Tuesday.
