Southland

Lachie Jones' father, Paul Jones, said he would go into the second phase of the inquest into his son's death with more confidence after newly discovered messages came to light.

The 18-year-old behind the wheel was also pulled over last week for going 30km/h above the 100km/h speed limit.

Nobby Clark "admires" his partner supporting a Dunedin councillor facing censure for supposed anti-Māori remarks.

Construction of Southland's new museum will plough on amid budget issues, but just how much extra it will cost remains a question for the future.

Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark has publicly apologised for repeatedly breaching the council's code of conduct.

Three new species of wētā have been discovered in New Zealand's southern islands, all belonging to two new genera new to science. Audio

Inflation and resourcing, cost of living and supply chain issues exacerbated by Covid-19 have been recognised as some of the challenges facing the project.

Persistent and cold easterlies are expected to develop over the southern South Island, bringing heavy rain and possible heavy snow above 500 metres.

City councillors voted to formally censure the mayor and ask him to make a sincere public verbal apology.

MPI staff are on Friday back at a farm where winter grazing practices were so bad seven cows had to be euthanised last month.

Riverton resident Leah Boniface wants Southland District Council to seal the 300m northern section of Palmerston St where she has lived for about 30 years.

As tourist numbers increase, the lack of a freedom camping ambassador is being felt by locals in the Catlins, with an urgent call made to replace a vacant role.

An spike in visitors hoping to catch the southern lights has spurred calls for a new reserve.

South Island police have received multiple reports of black ice on roads.

A mother and child died in the fire.

They 'valiantly' tried to get into the burning house, police say.

Police say they are still working to account for all residents.

Aurora fans have been treated to an unexpectedly bright display lighting up the skies, with photographers capturing the lights as far north as the Bay of Plenty.

Clark's month off from 60-hour work weeks would give him a chance to reflect, deputy Tom Campbell says.