Matthew Rosenberg

When Wairoa's last dentist left town two years ago, residents were faced with a large commute for treatment but this week 15 dentists volunteered their time to help plug the gap.

"If I can survive this, I can probably do another three or four terms," Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt said in June, from the comfort of his large, open office.

Invercargill City Council has sold a large piece of farmland about 10km south of the city, but is remaining tight-lipped about how much it went for.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt's new work phone has been sitting at the council since early last year, unused, despite his claims he is soldiering on with one that is barely functional.

A governance group protecting marine species in Fiordland say current levels of fishing in the area are unsustainable, and key fish stocks now require rebuilding.

Noel Peterson is the green wizard of Bluff - a man with a passion for both the environment and local politics. But could he be the next mayor of Invercargill?

A group of Winton residents have expressed concerns over an application for a new bottle store in their small town, highlighting existing issues in the community.

Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt says he has been forced to soldier on with a "barely functional" phone because he was considered incapable of using all the features of a new one.

Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt is still using council-owned buildings for personal storage, three months after he made headlines over the unorthodox arrangement.

Embattled Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt has again found himself at odds with his council - this time over Christmas cards.

The owner of a large unconsented sign which drew the ire of a neighbour says he is leaving the region over the ensuing fallout.

The owner of a seaside lodge in rural Southland has been ordered to remove his home-made sign made out of power poles, less than 24 hours after it was erected.

In a sleepy Southland bay, a battle is brewing. Fearful an old dump could be exposed where the rocks give way to loose shingle, residents claim the council isn't interested.

Gemma Marnane is on a mission to end mining in her small Southland town, even if it puts her at odds with the community and her own parents.

An online petition prompting Three Waters' opponents to send emails to councillors en masse is being called "a bloody nuisance" by a southern mayor.

A small scale developer was forced to live out of his car while he awaited the outcome of a subdivision he claims has ruined his life.

Analysis: Invercargill City Council has rallied to achieve outcomes set by the Department of Internal Affairs, but there's a strong sense of scepticism in the south toward the media and coverage of…

Vaccine uptake among Māori is part of a difficult yet familiar reality for New Zealand health advocates, and when it comes to health and wellbeing, tangata whenua are often left behind.

Last week, Sir Tim was blindsided by council staff when an email he sent to media was intercepted and raised at a closed meeting an hour later.

Embattled Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt says he has been left traumatised by workplace bullying as his deputy pushes for a vote of no confidence against him.

Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt is storing personal items - including furniture, mattresses and a large appliance still in bubble wrap - in council-owned buildings across the city.

The rejection of a new liquor outlet hoping to open in Riverton has painted a concerning picture of a toxic drinking culture in the town.

Gore District Council is pouring millions of dollars down the drain with a new water pipeline system, a resident claims.

Despite ongoing difficulties with Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt, independent observers say the council has ploughed ahead with its goal of turning dysfunction into results.

Invercargill's deputy mayor opens up to Local Democracy Reporting's Matthew Rosenberg about strained relationships at council, lessons learned through Buddhism and how his star sign affects his…