Southland

Meridian can require the smelter to cut demand when the electricity system is under stress - for a fee.

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.

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.

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.

The relationship between Gore District Council's Mayor Ben Bell and chief executive Stephen Parry has broken down to the point another councillor will act as an intermediary between them.

Power cuts have been avoided in the South Island after residents heeded calls to reduce their electricity usage.

Recent rainfall has alleviated drought concerns in Otago and Southland, but it's been another tough summer.

In the last few years, Tom O'Brien's Southland farmland has become home to a hand-built bike and hiking track and an organic market garden.

Sand bags are being provided in Dunedin as orange level heavy rain and strong wind warnings and watches are plastered across much of the South Island.

MetService says cooler temperatures forecast for the next few days should begin to lift by the end of the week.

Harvesting is about to get underway at Garston Hops which has gone from traditional sheep farming to a two tier operation with big plans afoot.

The charge relates to a fight in a hotel car park on 28 January.

Capturing beautiful South Island landscapes is more than just a hobby for agricultural entrepreneur and aspiring mushroom-grower Edwin Mabonga.

Firefighters are continuing to damp down hotspots following a fire at an Invercargill storage facility.

Police are refusing to address the concerns of the father of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones.