News

Southland Team Wins Top National Award at Young Enterprise Scheme Awards

Southland Team Wins Top National Award at Young Enterprise Scheme Awards

6 December 2024

Southern Regional Co-ordinator, Leanne Humphrey, applauded the team’s achievement, saying: "It’s incredible to see a rural Southland team win on the national stage. These students have worked so hard, and their passion and dedication truly paid off. Their win is a testament to the innovation and talent in our region."

Amazing Chase Southland: City Edition

Amazing Chase Southland: City Edition

26 November 2024

The Southland Business Chamber are issuing a warning to the public this week ahead of the inaugural Amazing Chase Southland: City Edition. The Amazing Chase: Southland Edition will see teams from workplaces throughout Murihiku descend on the Invercargill CBD for two days of action-packed festive fun.

Govt loan to boost Southland’s aquaculture industry

Govt loan to boost Southland’s aquaculture industry

15 November 2024

Southland Business Chamber chief executive Sheree Carey also welcomed the announcement, saying investment would be needed to achieve the $1.5b goal. “This is a good start.” The work at the Ocean Beach site was working because all the people involved in aquaculture were sharing ideas and resources, she said.

History made with entrepreneurial talent’s second straight win

History made with entrepreneurial talent’s second straight win

24 October 2024

The YES program in the Southern regions, which spans Southland, Queenstown, and Wanaka, has provided a platform for students to explore the world of business. The YES (Young Enterprise Scheme) Regional Finals, held on October 22 at SIT CentreStage Theatre, showcased the impressive entrepreneurial talent from across the southern regions. With 160 students, 51 teams, […]

‘Disappointing’: Air New Zealand scraps Wellington-Invercargill route

‘Disappointing’: Air New Zealand scraps Wellington-Invercargill route

30 September 2024

Those in the deep south will soon have fewer options to get to the North Island as Air New Zealand pulls the pin on its Invercargill to Wellington service. The flights will stop from January 19, 2025, the airline has announced. Air New Zealand general manager domestic Scott Carr said the decision has come down […]

Southland innovator’s bipod products gets ultimate SEAL of approval

Southland innovator’s bipod products gets ultimate SEAL of approval

29 September 2024

A Southland engineer’s hunting rifle bipods have have been given the ultimate seal of approval after he received an order for his products from the US Navy – home of the Navy Seals. Ethan Todd, entrepreneur and founder of Backlanz, a company that manufactures a range of innovative bipods and accessories, also won the NZAS […]

Southland Business Talent Showcased During Minister’s Visit

Southland Business Talent Showcased During Minister’s Visit

28 September 2024

Southland’s business enterprises were front and center when the Minister of Small Business and Manufacturing, Andrew Bayly, visited Invercargill yesterday. “I had a really interesting day in Invercargill, meeting a range of successful businesses with my wonderful colleague, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds,” said Mr. Bayly. “Many people don’t appreciate how significant Southland’s economy is to […]

Southland exporters shine at gala awards

Southland exporters shine at gala awards

23 September 2024

Southland’s most innovative and successful exporters were celebrated on Friday night. The Export Southland Trust hosted 240 export businesses and their supporters for the biennial DHL Export Gala Dinner at the Ascot Park Hotel. Winners on the night included Backlanz founder Ethan Todd, George Munro - Hokonui founder Laura Todd, Davaar & Co, Resolution Farming App, and agriculture entrepreneur Keith Neylon.

Southland Business Chamber building te ao Māori connections

Southland Business Chamber building te ao Māori connections

17 September 2024

The Southland Business Chamber is working to bridge a gap between the Māori and Pākeha business communities in Murihiku, and the first step is for its own staff to begin on a te reo Māori journey themselves. “We realised there was a missing puzzle piece in our business community,” membership and stakeholder engagement manager Adam […]

Plans to sell Fiordland homes for under $200k

Plans to sell Fiordland homes for under $200k

10 September 2024

Imagine snapping up a two-bedroom home, in Te Anau no less, for around $190,000. Or what about a one-bedroom, installed and connected, for $160,000. These are the options available in Te Anau’s planned 30-unit worker village designed to solve one of the tourist town’s biggest problems.

Submission on Vocational Education Reforms Consultation

Submission on Vocational Education Reforms Consultation

9 September 2024

You can read the Southland Business Chamber’s submission on Vocational Education Reforms Consultation here. We encourage the Southland community to also make a submission on the Government’s proposal on the Redesign of the vocational education and training (VET) system. Submissions close Thursday 12 September, and can be emailed to: VocationalEducation.Reforms@education.govt.nz

‘Fantastic News’: 70 new Southland jobs created at Fonterra

‘Fantastic News’: 70 new Southland jobs created at Fonterra

3 September 2024

Southland Business Chamber CEO Sheree Carey expressed her enthusiasm for the Fonterra project. “This is fantastic news for Southland. Fonterra’s investment in the Edendale site is a strong vote of confidence in our region’s capabilities and future. The creation of new jobs and the opportunity for local businesses to contribute to this project are key factors in driving economic growth and ensuring the long-term prosperity of Southland.”

Business Confidence

Business Confidence

3 September 2024

The recent survey results show a marked uplift in the sentiment among Southland businesses, signalling a positive shift in the economic outlook for the region. The optimism displayed by local businesses is a strong indicator of confidence in Southland’s economic prospects. This growing confidence is an encouraging development for our local business environment.

Southland Business Chamber Responds to Meridian Energy’s Decision to Pause Southern Green Hydrogen Project

Southland Business Chamber Responds to Meridian Energy’s Decision to Pause Southern Green Hydrogen Project

28 August 2024

Southland Business Chamber CEO Sheree Carey stated, “We recognise the extensive work and partnerships formed over the past few years as part of this project. These efforts have reinforced Southland’s role in the renewable energy landscape, and we are confident that, when economic conditions align, this project will be revisited with renewed focus and commitment.” She added, “The Chamber will continue to support initiatives that drive economic diversification and leverage Southland’s natural advantages.”

Celebrating 5 Years of Jet Service Between Auckland and Invercargill: A Milestone in Connectivity and Growth

Celebrating 5 Years of Jet Service Between Auckland and Invercargill: A Milestone in Connectivity and Growth

26 August 2024

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the historic direct jet service between Auckland and Invercargill — a service that has transformed connectivity, driven economic growth, and created new opportunities across Southland. Invercargill Airport, alongside its regional partners — including business, community, funding, iwi and civic leaders — is thrilled to celebrate this milestone, reflecting on […]

Ocean Beach: When food, science and tourism collide

Ocean Beach: When food, science and tourism collide

15 August 2024

“We’re thrilled to see the world taking notice of the innovative work we’re doing with pāua, whitebait, and seaweed, and it’s an honour to share this with our guests.” Behind its Chernobyl like exterior a once a quiet epicentre of aquacultural innovation, is now becoming as a must-visit destination for tourism.

Kiwibank report: ‘Southland leading the way’

Kiwibank report: ‘Southland leading the way’

12 August 2024

Southland Business Chamber CEO Sheree Carey said it was good to see the region was strong as part of another national assessment. Although she did acknowledge there were lots of business in various sectors still struggling in the south and was looking forward to inflation going down in the next year to help ease some of that pain.

Twelve Southland business owners graduate from programme

Twelve Southland business owners graduate from programme

7 August 2024

The Icehouse Business Owner Programme is a three-month initiative designed to equip business owners with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to redesign their businesses for the future. Twelve Southland businesses have graduated from the Icehouse Business Owner Programme organised by the Southland Business Chamber. A Southland Business Chamber statement says the achievement underscores the […]

Finalists announced for Southland Business Chamber’s export awards

Finalists announced for Southland Business Chamber’s export awards

4 August 2024

The finalists for this year’s Southland Business Chamber Export Gala awards have been announced. The business chamber’s event manager Leanne Humphrey said she was thrilled to be able to announce the finalists and said she was excited about the diversity and calibre of this year’s submissions. “Record numbers were received, from big businesses to some innovative start-ups,” she said.

Hotelier hands out earplugs due to frequent troublemakers

Hotelier hands out earplugs due to frequent troublemakers

22 July 2024

Carey had spoken to Southland area commander Mike Bowman, who had told her police would be meeting with Invercargill Central and Oranga Tamariki to look for solutions, she said.

Ocean Beach centre impresses economic development minister

Ocean Beach centre impresses economic development minister

22 July 2024

Campbell was equally impressed. “The scalability of aquaculture in Southland is something we are incredibly excited about,” he said. “Witnessing such innovation and potential here in our region is inspiring. “Ocean Beach has the potential to draw global attention and position Southland as a leader in sustainable aquaculture.”

No market for new Invercargill hotel, ILT boss says

No market for new Invercargill hotel, ILT boss says

20 July 2024

Westpac Smarts event hosted by the Southland Business Chamber continues to create thought leadership opportunities for business leaders.

Two years on: Ground floor success, first floor challenge

Two years on: Ground floor success, first floor challenge

18 July 2024

Invercargill Central centre manager Kelvin Mooney - through Southland Business Chamber CEO Sharee Carey - provided an update as part of a Westpac Smarts event on Wednesday. “Invercargill Central continues to see steady growth month on month for like-for-like stores which is bucking the national trend in shopping centres,” Mooney said in his update. “We are now fully tenanted with retail, with one small and one medium food space on the ground floor left to lease.” Mooney said a highlight was landing JB Hi-Fi and Ballantynes last year as tenants for Invercargill Central.

Frustration heats up over fire-damaged Dee St building

Frustration heats up over fire-damaged Dee St building

18 July 2024

The Southland Business Chamber held a ‘Westpac Smarts’ panel discussion on Wednesday with Ramsay and Invercargill City Council Michael Day.

Businesses confident in Southland’s direction

Businesses confident in Southland’s direction

18 July 2024

The survey was conducted before Rio Tinto announced that the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter at Tiwai Point would remain open for at least another 20 years. Carey said it would be interesting to see the impact this would have on business confidence when the next survey was completed in six weeks’ time.

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