The Southland Times


The Southland Times is the regional daily paper for Southland, including Invercargill, and neighbouring parts of Otago, in New Zealand. It is now owned by media business Stuff Ltd, formerly the New Zealand division of Fairfax Media.

History

The Southland Times was first established in 1862. The first edition was published on 12 November 1862 under the title of Invercargill Times. The three founders were Gerard George Fitzgerald, John T. Downes, and Charles Reynolds. The name changed to The Southland Times in June 1864. Initially, it was published two or three times a week until it became a daily paper in 1875. From 1869 until its purchase by the INL, it was owned by the Gilmour family. Robert Gilmour became a part owner in 1869–70, and then in 1879 became the sole owner of the paper.
In 1972, digital computers and software, phototypesetters, and a Japanese APR photopolymer plate were installed at the paper, making the Times New Zealand's first fully computerised newspaper production system under the direction of Ian Gilmour.
The paper changed hands again on 1 July 2003, when Independent Newspapers Limited was purchased by Australian media company Fairfax Media.
In May 2012 local printing of The Southland Times ceased with all printing now taking place from Allied Press in Dunedin. Smaller community papers that are usually printed once a week are now printed from Christchurch.

Awards and nominations

At the 2018 Voyager Media Awards The Southland Times' photographer Kavinda Herath won the Best Photo Award.

Other publications

The Southland Times also publishes:

''The Eye''

The Eye is distributed weekly in the area surrounding Invercargill and Winton.

''Newslink''

Newslink is distributed weekly in the area surrounding Gore and Eastern Southland.

''The Mirror''

The Mirror is published weekly on Wednesdays in two editions: one for the Queenstown Lakes District and another for Central Otago.

''Clutha Leader''

The Clutha Leader is delivered on Thursday mornings to all homes in the Clutha district.

''Otago Southland Farmer''

The Otago Southland Farmer is delivered fortnightly to all rural homes in Southland and Otago.

''Auto Xtra''

Auto Xtra is an A4 glossy car publication, published fortnightly on a Monday, inserted into The Southland Times, and distributed to retail outlets in Invercargill.