Articles tagged with Southland
$62.5M Investment to Build 59 New Classrooms Across South Island Schools
2 weeks ago | 187 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $62.5 million to build 59 new classrooms and upgrade others across the South Island, focusing on rapidly growing communities like Canterbury and Christchurch’s western suburbs. This investment includes new classrooms at multiple schools, learning support facilities, and funding for future school sites, while emphasizing cost-effective modular builds to accelerate delivery and support local jobs. Additionally, funding is allocated to address long-standing condition issues at select schools, with further property portfolio investments planned to ensure schools are fit for the future.
Tags: Erica Stanford Darfield High School Canterbury Lincoln South Rolleston College Fiordland College Maitai School Queenstown Logan Park High School Southland Boys High School$62.5M Boost for South Island Schools: 59 New Classrooms & Upgrades
2 weeks ago | 227 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing $62.5 million to build 59 new classrooms and upgrade others across the South Island, particularly in rapidly growing areas like Canterbury, to ensure safe and fit-for-purpose learning environments. This funding includes new classrooms at multiple schools, support for learning facilities, and plans for a future high school site in Queenstown, with a focus on cost-effective modular construction to accelerate delivery. Additionally, four schools will receive funding to address long-standing condition issues as part of a broader strategy to expand and modernize the school property portfolio.
Tags: Erica Stanford Darfield High School Canterbury Lincoln South Rolleston College Maitai School Queenstown Amuri Area School Logan Park High School Southland Boys High SchoolStewart Island Solar Project Begins to Cut Diesel Use and Lower Power Costs
1 month ago | 282 viewsConstruction has begun on a government-backed solar energy project on Stewart Island/Rakiura to reduce reliance on diesel-generated electricity and lower power prices. Funded by a $15.35 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, the project includes a solar farm, battery system, network upgrades, and smart meters, aiming to cut diesel use by up to 75% and reduce electricity costs by up to 35 cents per kilowatt hour. Expected to be completed by early 2027, the initiative will create around 40 construction jobs and provide long-term economic benefits to local industries.
Tags: Shane Jones Mark Patterson Stewart Island Southland District Council Regional Infrastructure Fund Stewart Island Electricity Supply Authority solar energy diesel generators energy resilience power pricesSouthland Hospital Upgrades Fluoroscopy Machine for Faster, Safer Imaging
1 month ago | 243 viewsSouthland Hospital has installed a $994,000 upgraded fluoroscopy machine that provides higher-quality, real-time X-ray imaging with clearer images at lower radiation doses, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. This dual-purpose system supports various procedures, including over 400 annual PICC line insertions, and also functions as a general X-ray room, improving efficiency and reducing wait times. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this investment advances timely diagnostic services, enabling faster treatment decisions and supporting the government’s goal of quicker specialist assessments and elective treatments.
Tags: Simeon Brown Southland Hospital fluoroscopy diagnostic imaging PICC line intravenous treatment chemotherapy Health Minister SouthlandersMajor $18M Flood Resilience Upgrade Underway in Mataura to Protect Southland Communities
1 month ago | 412 viewsWork has begun on a major $18 million flood resilience upgrade for the Mataura River in Southland, supported by a $10.8 million government loan and $7.2 million from Environment Southland, aiming to protect over 7,000 people, 1,500 hectares of land, and key infrastructure. The project includes building and strengthening stopbanks, rock walls, and riverbed gravel works to reduce flood risks to Mataura and Gore, areas historically affected by severe flooding. Since the launch of the Regional Infrastructure Fund, $18.5 million has been allocated to Southland for five flood resilience projects to safeguard communities and boost regional prosperity.
Tags: Mark Patterson Mataura River Regional Infrastructure Fund Environment Southland Mataura Gore Ōreti River Aparima Catchment Te Anau Basin InvercargillMichelle Findlater Appointed to Tertiary Education Commission Board for 2026
1 month ago | 368 viewsTertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds has appointed Michelle Findlater to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for a three-year term starting May 2026. Michelle, with extensive experience in the automotive industry and work-based training, has been recognized for her contributions and potential, including receiving the Janet Lane Scholarship from MITO. Her expertise is expected to support the TEC’s focus on enhancing access, participation, and achievement in tertiary education to build the workforce New Zealand needs.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Michelle Findlater Bharat Guha Tertiary Education Commission MITO Janet Lane Scholarship Harvard University Southland Chamber of Commerce Tertiary Education Minister automotive industryDunedin Hospital’s New Surgical Assessment Unit Cuts Wait Times & Speeds Care
2 months ago | 557 viewsDunedin Hospital’s new $2.4 million Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) is now fully operational, providing faster assessment and earlier treatment for patients with acute surgical conditions, thereby reducing emergency department wait times. The SAU, staffed by experienced nurses and supported by surgical specialists, operates 24/7 and enables prompt interventions, improving patient flow by admitting directly to surgical wards or discharging with clear plans. Since its trial in December 2025, the unit has treated over 630 patients, demonstrating significant improvements in timely care and receiving positive feedback.
Tags: Simeon Brown Dunedin Hospital Otago Southland Surgical Assessment Unit SAU emergency department appendicitis Clinical Nurse Specialists surgical nursesFast-Track Approval Granted for New Zealand’s Largest Southland Wind Farm Project
2 months ago | 596 viewsNew Zealand’s largest wind farm, the Southland Windfarm developed by Contact Energy, has received fast-track approval, enabling it to generate up to 380 MW and power 150,000 households while creating significant local jobs and economic benefits. The project, spanning 58 km² in eastern Southland, overcomes previous consent challenges through a streamlined Fast-track process designed to expedite critical infrastructure development and support national energy goals. This initiative aligns with the government’s vision for reliable, affordable energy, helping to reduce prices, enhance supply security, and stimulate regional investment and growth.
Tags: Mr Bishop Mr Jones Simon Watts Contact Energy Southland Windfarm Transpower National Grid Arataki Drury Quarry Haldon Solar Farm Mahinerangi Wind FarmSouthland Hospital Opens New Dialysis Unit to Improve Local Patient Care
4 months ago | 674 viewsSouthland Hospital has opened a new dialysis unit with five haemodialysis spaces and a dedicated area for peritoneal dialysis training, improving access to treatment for patients in Invercargill and the wider Southland region. Previously, patients had to travel long distances to Dunedin for dialysis, but the new facility allows more local care, reducing stress and supporting better health outcomes. The unit will also support home haemodialysis training, increasing patient independence and flexibility in managing their treatment.
Tags: Southland dialysis Invercargill Health Minister Simeon Brown Southland Hospital renal care haemodialysis peritoneal dialysis DunedinOne Year of NZ Fast-Track Approvals: Faster Projects, Jobs, and Growth
4 months ago | 696 viewsOne year after New Zealand's Fast-track approvals system launched, it has accelerated infrastructure project approvals from years to months, reducing costs and enabling timely economic growth and job creation. The system streamlines multiple approval processes into one efficient pathway while maintaining environmental safeguards, with nine projects approved and dozens more progressing, expected to deliver thousands of homes, jobs, and significant economic contributions. The Coalition Government highlights Fast-track's success in overcoming criticism, positioning New Zealand as a global leader in efficient, rigorous infrastructure development.
Tags: Chris Bishop Shane Jones New Zealand Ports of Auckland Drury Metropolitan Centre Tekapo Power Scheme Bledisloe North Wharf Southland Wind Farm Wellington International AirportSouthland’s $13.6M Industrial Hub Boosts Gore Economy and Creates Jobs
5 months ago | 1342 viewsThe Government is providing a $3.1 million loan to support a $13.6 million industrial subdivision near Gore, a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu’s Hokonui Rūnanga and Robertson Transport Limited, addressing the shortage of large industrial lots in the area. The 43-hectare project, located on State Highway 1, will create up to 50 construction jobs and attract various industries while generating sustainable income for Hokonui Rūnanga to fund community services. This development is the first phase of a 90-hectare master plan aimed at diversifying Southland’s economy and includes future plans for marae relocation, housing, and childcare facilities.
Tags: Mark Patterson Hokonui Rūnanga Ngāi Tahu Robertson Transport Limited Southland Gore District Regional Infrastructure Fund Associate Minister for Regional Development New Zealand Eastern SouthlandDunedin Hospital Project Hits Milestone with Pile Capping Completion
7 months ago | 671 viewsThe New Dunedin Hospital project has completed pile capping for the inpatient building, marking a major construction milestone and enabling progress to substructure work. Construction is advancing with the formation of basement and ground-floor slabs, preparation for steel framework installation, and coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The project supports local employment and businesses, with over 900 jobs expected at peak construction and significant economic benefits for the Otago and Southland region.
Tags: New Dunedin Hospital pile capping inpatient building Health Minister Simeon Brown Otago Southland CPB Contractors construction milestone local employment structural steel frameworkGovernment Advances $7M SH6 Epitaph Landslide Resilience Project in South Island
7 months ago | 674 viewsThe Government is advancing a series of roading resilience projects in the South Island, including the SH6 Epitaph Landslide Resilience Improvements, to safeguard key freight and tourism corridors from natural hazards like landslides and flooding. The SH6 Epitaph project involves realigning the road inland, removing unstable materials, and constructing a haul road, with $7 million approved for detailed design and an estimated construction cost of $102-123 million planned for 2027-30. This initiative is part of a broader programme targeting six high-priority corridors to enhance regional connectivity, economic growth, and community safety through improved infrastructure resilience.
Tags: James Meager Maureen Pugh Helen Lash NZ Transport Agency SH6 Epitaph Slip South Island West Coast Otago Southland NZTA BoardGovernment's $150,000 Aid for Clutha and Southland Severe Weather Impacts
8 months ago | 954 viewsThe Government is providing $150,000 in total to assist Clutha and Southland communities affected by severe weather, with $75,000 allocated to Southland and $25,000 to the Clutha District Council Mayoral Relief Fund for immediate needs. The Ministry for Primary Industries is contributing an additional $50,000 through the Mayoral Relief Fund to aid the rural sector in recovery efforts. The medium scale adverse event classification allows for further support for farmers and growers, including tax relief, Rural Assistance Payments, and activation of Enhanced Taskforce Green, with affected individuals encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust for assistance.
Tags: Government Contribution Communities Clutha Southland Labour Weekend Severe Weather Emergency Management Mark Mitchell Mayoral Relief FundState of Local Emergency Declared in Southland Region by Minister Mark Mitchell
8 months ago | 753 viewsMinister Mark Mitchell declared a state of local emergency in Southland due to potential impacts from power outages following a significant weather event, as the Southland Mayors have not been sworn in after local elections. This declaration grants local Civil Defence emergency powers to respond and support services, urging residents to prioritize safety, follow instructions, and stay informed about weather updates. The state of local emergency in Canterbury continues, with the Minister empowered to declare such emergencies when local representatives are unavailable due to election procedures.
Tags: Mark Mitchell Minister Emergency Management Recovery Southland Region local emergency Civil Defence MetService weather information Canterbury