Over the last 12 years Ive filed away mountains of photos, newspaper clippings, notes and reports.
Now that Ive almost completed my book, Mayor of Two Cities, I have to admit that trying to cover all the characters, projects, success stories and disasters of the last decade, just in Invercargill alone, would take at least three [...]

Industry leaders say the television shows small underwear factory, in which the gossiping staff seem to have few skills and do little work, is giving people the wrong idea.
They say it is increasingly difficult to recruit young people into a job seen as unglamorous and repetitive.
Paul Adriaens, joint managing director of Christchurch-based Cotura Fashions, said [...]

Searchers were checking yesterday the Waimakariri River area north of Christchurch near where, last weekend, disorder and noise disturbances were reported.
These were being followed up, a police spokesman said.
The search for Marie is being conducted by 28 Land Search and Rescue Volunteers and police - all trained in tracking and search procedures.
Detective Senior Sergeant Virginia [...]

Sophie, who won four national titles at the New Zealand track championships in Invercargill last month, won the overall title, which was contested over three events %26mdash; the cross-country, uphill and downhill.
In a superb result for Dunstan High, Kate McDonald was second overall in the under-16 girls section after winning the cross-country competition.
Results: 2008 New [...]

Norm Withers said he was deeply hurt and saddened to hear about the attack by five men on a group of English and Danish tourists in Cashel Mall at 1am on Saturday.
The attack was apparently sparked by nothing more than their accents.
Six of the eight tourists were taken to Christchurch Hospital, including two with knife [...]

One of the English and Danish tourists remained in Christchurch Hospital with knife wounds, but was reported in a comfortable condition and likely to be discharged today.
Police today released firm descriptions of the six men they say attacked the tourists — two women and six men — who were walking in central Christchurch about 1am [...]

Air New Zealand has indicated it will allow passengers to send text messages but not make calls on board domestic flights.
However, other industry players are far from convinced.
The airlines deputy chief executive, Norm Thompson, said he had discussed the issue at a Star Alliance conference in Vienna, and the matter was on Air New Zealands [...]

Its too late and the clubs that stage most of the group races at night %26mdash; Auckland and New Zealand Metropolitan (Christchurch) %26mdash; should go back to holding them between 8pm and 9pm.
Fridays New Zealand Derby at Addington was scheduled for 10.25pm. It probably forced some older people to stay up later than usual to [...]

Independent commissioners Neville Marquet and Lyal Cocks approved the application of H.A.T Ltd to establish a 185m-high bungy operation near the western end of Tucker Beach Rd.
The decision follows a two-day hearing in November last year and submissions from 49 parties, 48 against the plan and one in support.
Four groups have now lodged appeals with [...]

Redmond senior will doubtless have passed on similar sentiments to his son when they caught up in Perth this weekend, with Redmond junior having just returned there. He had been on his way to play league cricket for Wigan in England but is now revising those plans.
%26quot;I arrived in Perth late on Friday night and [...]