https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/rss NZME Keep up with the latest in Lower South Island news with Newstalk ZB. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:01:24 Z en https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/queenstown-s-skippers-bridge-closed-indefinitely-after-safety-failures/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/queenstown-s-skippers-bridge-closed-indefinitely-after-safety-failures/ Residents, tour operators and recreational users have been cut off from a popular tourist area north of Queenstown after the only bridge access route was closed indefinitely due to serious structural failures. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 21:59:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/woman-and-her-dog-missing-for-20-hours-after-going-for-walk-on-west-coast/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/woman-and-her-dog-missing-for-20-hours-after-going-for-walk-on-west-coast/ A woman and her dog spent a night in poor weather after they went missing while going for a walk on the West Coast. Wed, 12 Jul 2023 23:23:34 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/ara-timaru-polytechnic-evacuated-closed-for-the-day-after-threat/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/ara-timaru-polytechnic-evacuated-closed-for-the-day-after-threat/ About 250 staff and students at a Timaru polytechnic were evacuated from their building this morning after a threat was made relating to the premises. Wed, 21 Jun 2023 01:04:22 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/name-suppression-for-woman-who-lied-about-crashing-boat-at-lake-wakatipu/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/name-suppression-for-woman-who-lied-about-crashing-boat-at-lake-wakatipu/ A public-facing professional who lied about crashing a boat cannot be named after an 11th-hour suppression order was made by a judge. Wed, 07 Jun 2023 22:29:34 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/convicted-prescription-fraudster-was-gore-mayor-ben-bell-s-former-assistant/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/convicted-prescription-fraudster-was-gore-mayor-ben-bell-s-former-assistant/ A woman who forged prescriptions to obtain tramadol and codeine from a Gore pharmacy can now be named as Shanna Marie Crosbie, who was formerly Gore mayor Ben Bell’s personal assistant. Tue, 06 Jun 2023 23:50:49 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/w%C4%81naka-s-mt-iron-one-step-closer-to-being-owned-by-public/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/w%C4%81naka-s-mt-iron-one-step-closer-to-being-owned-by-public/ The public is one step closer to owning 100ha on Wānaka landmark, Mt Iron. Tue, 25 Apr 2023 21:20:01 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/missing-queenstown-woman-suzanne-frew-found-dead/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/missing-queenstown-woman-suzanne-frew-found-dead/ Police have found the body of a Queenstown woman who was previously reported missing. Wed, 05 Apr 2023 01:03:25 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/man-dies-following-incident-in-southland/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/man-dies-following-incident-in-southland/ A man was found dead after emergency services were called to reports of someone in difficulty in Southland. Thu, 23 Mar 2023 23:32:33 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/wild-boar-knocks-over-man-in-late-night-central-otago-garden-attack/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/wild-boar-knocks-over-man-in-late-night-central-otago-garden-attack/ A quiet evening on the deck shooting the breeze and listening to music ended with a midnight dash for medical help and fears for the safety of children in a remote Central Otago village. Wed, 08 Mar 2023 19:59:28 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/queenstown-police-seek-public-help-after-serious-fight-in-city-centre/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/queenstown-police-seek-public-help-after-serious-fight-in-city-centre/ A serious altercation in Queenstown city centre overnight has led local police to ask the public for help in identifying those involved. Fri, 24 Feb 2023 00:52:31 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/twizel-crash-victim-remembered-by-family-givealittle-page-set-up-to-support-his-young-daughter-mother-siblings/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/twizel-crash-victim-remembered-by-family-givealittle-page-set-up-to-support-his-young-daughter-mother-siblings/ The family of a man killed after a car crashed into a canal in the central South Island at the weekend has been remembered by his family as someone with “big” dreams who “always needed to be doing something”. Mon, 16 Jan 2023 23:05:51 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/wanaka-man-named-as-deceased-in-lake-wakatipu-tragedy/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/wanaka-man-named-as-deceased-in-lake-wakatipu-tragedy/ Police have confirmed the man killed in a South Island lake tragedy was 48-year-old Linkin Kisling. Sun, 15 Jan 2023 23:52:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/alexandra-teen-drowned-in-bath-after-huffing-butane-finds-coroner/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/alexandra-teen-drowned-in-bath-after-huffing-butane-finds-coroner/ A Central Otago teenager who drowned in her bath was huffing butane at the time, a coroner has found. Thu, 12 Jan 2023 03:33:25 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/water-restrictions-in-place-for-queenstown/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/water-restrictions-in-place-for-queenstown/ Queenstown’s council has put water restrictions in place, with immediate effect. Mon, 09 Jan 2023 21:47:30 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/queenstown-man-arrested-after-crashing-his-car-and-involvement-in-assault/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/queenstown-man-arrested-after-crashing-his-car-and-involvement-in-assault/ A Queenstown man has been arrested and charged with a number of driving and drinking offences, after crashing his car and getting involved in an alleged assault. Wed, 07 Dec 2022 23:19:40 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/dog-kills-little-blue-penguin-at-%C5%8Damaru-harbour/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/dog-kills-little-blue-penguin-at-%C5%8Damaru-harbour/ Waitaki District Council is reminding dog owners to keep their pets on a lead after a little blue penguin (kororā) was killed by a dog at Ōamaru Harbour on Sunday. Tue, 22 Nov 2022 20:48:18 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/invercargill-man-allegedly-threw-petrol-punched-flatmate/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/invercargill-man-allegedly-threw-petrol-punched-flatmate/ A man allegedly threw petrol over his flatmate then punched and stomped on her, a jury heard yesterday. Wed, 02 Nov 2022 20:31:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/queenstowns-coronet-peak-closes-after-perfect-ski-season/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/queenstowns-coronet-peak-closes-after-perfect-ski-season/ Much like the start of the ski season, the weather well and truly turned it on for Coronet Peak's closing day. Mon, 03 Oct 2022 20:34:45 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/mycoplasma-bovis-another-mid-canterbury-property-tests-positive/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/mycoplasma-bovis-another-mid-canterbury-property-tests-positive/ A property within the newly-identified Mycoplasma bovis control zone has tested positive for the cattle disease. Thu, 29 Sept 2022 22:32:22 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/rental-property-scam-australian-worker-left-out-of-pocket-in-queenstown/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/rental-property-scam-australian-worker-left-out-of-pocket-in-queenstown/ An Aussie working in Queenstown for the winter has fallen prey to a rental property scam. Mon, 19 Sept 2022 22:29:35 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/weather-more-snow-forecast-for-the-south-island/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/weather-more-snow-forecast-for-the-south-island/ Keep the fires banked and the stock sheltered — more snow down to 300m is forecast for Otago and Southland tomorrow. Sun, 11 Sept 2022 21:41:37 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/two-day-south-westland-search-by-armed-police-for-missing-tramper-who-made-threats-and-went-bush/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/two-day-south-westland-search-by-armed-police-for-missing-tramper-who-made-threats-and-went-bush/ A reported case of a "missing tramper" was actually a serial absconder who terrified elderly hikers and fled into deep bush to avoid armed police out hunting for him. Wed, 07 Sept 2022 23:56:39 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/invercargill-firefighter-killed-by-pet-stag-during-roar-season/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/invercargill-firefighter-killed-by-pet-stag-during-roar-season/ An Invercargill firefighter who was killed by his pet stag had been warned by his wife and colleagues not to go into the stag's paddock during the roar. Tue, 30 Aug 2022 02:12:18 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/weather-snow-warnings-in-place-across-south-island-as-cold-blast-sweeps-up-country/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/weather-snow-warnings-in-place-across-south-island-as-cold-blast-sweeps-up-country/ Snow warnings are in place across much of the South Island as a cold blast sweeps up the country. Sun, 07 Aug 2022 03:05:28 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/juvenile-leopard-seal-shot-dead-at-southland-river-mouth/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/juvenile-leopard-seal-shot-dead-at-southland-river-mouth/ The Department of Conservation is asking for the public's help after a juvenile leopard seal was shot and killed at the mouth of the Oreti River near Sandy Point in Southland. Thu, 04 Aug 2022 01:31:31 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/south-island-ski-fields-get-bumper-snowfall-as-cold-snap-blasts-through/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/south-island-ski-fields-get-bumper-snowfall-as-cold-snap-blasts-through/ A cold front that blasted over the South Island yesterday has ski fields rubbing gloved-hands with glee. Sun, 31 Jul 2022 02:35:17 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/salvation-army-slated-over-prices-at-queenstown-store/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/salvation-army-slated-over-prices-at-queenstown-store/ A Queenstown woman says the price of goods at Gorge Rd's Salvation Army Family Store is extortionate, with some items costing hundreds of dollars. Thu, 28 Jul 2022 22:52:04 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/skifield-bosses-want-answers-from-aurora-after-three-power-cuts-in-three-weeks/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/skifield-bosses-want-answers-from-aurora-after-three-power-cuts-in-three-weeks/ Coronet Peak ski area manager Nigel Kerr says power supply failures are posing a massive health and safety risk for NZSki's customers, and he fears a "perfect hypothermic storm". Wed, 06 Jul 2022 21:04:21 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/weather-more-snow-likely-in-south-island-crown-range-shut/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/weather-more-snow-likely-in-south-island-crown-range-shut/ The path to the firewood pile will be starting to get well worn by now, and the bad news is, this cold snap looks like it will persist for a while longer. Wed, 15 Jun 2022 02:42:43 Z https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/weather-lindis-pass-open-after-work-to-clear-15m-of-snow/ https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/lower-south-island/weather-lindis-pass-open-after-work-to-clear-15m-of-snow/ The Lindis Pass is now open as work to clear 1.5 metres of snow has been completed. Tue, 14 Jun 2022 01:30:58 Z