Gary Tong
Snow and ice cause excitement and diruption to Te Waipounamu
The polar blast has hit the South Island and the lower North Island, bringing sub zero temperatures, snow, hail and strong winds.
The unseasonal cold snap has closed roads and caused disruption… Audio
Covid-19: Southland mayors campaigning for vaccinations
Cycling's Tour of Southland got underway at the weekend - but it's a different tour of the region which may be the key to beating back the pandemic.
A farmgate vaccination tour of remote towns in… Audio
Southland District Council allows coal exploration in region
Environmental groups are urging the Southland District Council to reverse a decision allowing coal exploration in the region.
The council has granted Australian-owned mining company New Brighton… Audio
Brian, Hannah Tamaki tell different stories to different media
Southland Mayor Gary Tong says Destiny Church leaders Hannah and Brian Tamaki are not welcome in his region.
Tong says if leaving Auckland under the cover of darkness to avoid the level 3 lockdown… Audio
Southland mayor doesn't want Destiny leaders in region
Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 dollars. Or any dollars at all. That's the message from Southland's mayor to Destiny Church leaders Hannah and Brian Tāmaki whom he says are not welcome in his… Audio
Regional mayors back Covid-19 level 2 precautions
While many and various events up and down the South Island have been cancelled due to being locked down in Covid-19 alert level 2, some of the regions mayors insist its where they need to be. Video, Audio
Southern NZ wakes to more snow
New Zealand's southern-most region is still being hammered by the latest weather bomb.
Scattered snow showers are predicted for Southland today.
Southland District Mayor Gary Tong speaks to Corin… Audio
Peters headed south to hold 'Save Tiwai' rally, but will he convince locals?
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is jetting down to Invercargill this morning to hold a "Save Tiwai" rally in the city.
Peters declared his intention to fight the closure of the Tiwai Point… Audio
NZ First denies playing politics over help for Tiwai Pt staff
New Zealand First denies playing politics over the latest coalition disagreement - this time over a major jobs package for Southland.
Labour's coalition partner says won't back a $100 million package… Audio
Southland District mayor disappointed politics put plan on ice
The Southland District mayor says it's disappointing that politicking has scuppered the Prime Minister's plan to announce a multi-million dollar recovery package for the region.
A week ago, Jacinda… Audio
Southland mayor Gary Tong on Tiwai Point closure
Rio Tinto has announced it has started planning for the wind-down of operations and the eventual closure of the Tiwai Point Aluminum Smelter.
Rio Tinto says the business is no longer viable given… Audio
Southland still in State of Emergency after flooding
Southland is still in a state of emergency today.
All drinking water in Gore, Mataura and Otama still needs to be boiled.
Mayors across the region are meeting this morning at 10 to discuss the state… Audio
State of Emergency as constant rain floods in Southland
The whole of Southland is now in a state of emergency because of extensive flooding after two days of heavy rain. Bryan Crump speaks with Southland's mayor Gary Tong about what's happening and what's… Audio
Efforts to rescue trapped trampers ramp up
A break in the weather is allowing rescuers to attempt to evacuate 31 trampers stuck in a hut on the Routeburn Track this morning. Audio
Otautau reeling after 8yo's death - mayor
The Mayor of Southland and former police officer Gary Tong says the rural town of Otautau is reeling from Wednesday night's death of an 8-year-old boy.
A boy appeared in the Youth Court on Thursday… Audio
Stewart Island housing shortage stymieing tourism growth
Rakiura/Stewart Island residents say a housing shortage is forcing some people to move off the island - and it's only expected to get worse. Residents told reporter Tess Brunton the projected tourism… Audio
Southland Mayor defends dealings with Chinese group
Southland District Mayor Gary Tong says he has no concerns about his relationship with the Chao Shan Association of New Zealand.
'Do job properly' Te Anau urges on wastewater
Opponents of a plan to spray partially-treated sewage water from Te Anau around Manapouri airport are calling for the council to spend the money needed to do the job properly. The Southland district… Audio
'Not enough beds to sleep on'
Seasonal workers are turning down jobs due to an accommodation shortage caused by Airbnb in Southland. Business owners in Te Anau say workers are struggling to find accommodation in the tourist town… Audio
Southland council to vote on $75k mountain biking shelters
After halting spending on the Around the Mountain cycle track in Queenstown because of a multi-million dollar budget blowout, the bills keep coming for the Southland District Council. It will vote… Audio