ILT

We’ve got our fingers and toes crossed that the weather plays ball for tomorrow night’s fireworks at Rugby Park! 🎆 We’re keeping a close eye on conditions, and safety will always come first. We’ll share an update if plans need to change. Either way, we'd love to see you there for the final home game of the season 🏉

One final home game. One final chance to represent Southland in 2026.

The SBS Bank Southland Stags return to Rugby Park this Friday for the Battle of the Mainland, taking on Northland in the Stags' final game of the 2026 Hilux NPC season.

It’s set to be a huge night in Invercargill as the Stags and Northland battle it out for the the Hetaraka “Peter” Tetai Trophy— before the ILT Fireworks Spectacular lights up the sky after full time.

SBS Bank Southland Stags v Northland
📅 Friday 2 October
⏰ Kick-off 7.10pm
📍 Rugby Park, Invercargill

Bring the family. Bring your mates. Bring the noise.

One final game. One final night under the lights.

More defibrillators available 24/7 means more people can access one when it matters most ❤️ We love this partnership with Hato Hone St John - so good! 🙌

What a talented bunch of finalists!

ILT is proud to be the naming-rights sponsor of the ILT Southland Music Awards and to celebrate the incredible musical talent we have here in Murihiku. Congratulations to all the finalists — we can’t wait to celebrate with you on October 17. Check out the full list below. 👇

OUR 2026 SOUTHLAND MUSIC AWARDS FINALISTS!

Following the announcement of our six Southland Entertainer of the Year finalists, we’re thrilled to reveal the talented musicians, performers and creators selected as finalists across our remaining 2026 award categories.

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

SOUTHLAND BAND OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by RIFF – Live Entertainment Venue

- Brenny & The Bushwhackers
- Highland Storm
- Hoodaki

SOUTHLAND VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Fredricks Menswear

- Margi Ferguson
- Jacinta Kerepeti Gilbert
- Kayla Mahon
- Simon Thompson

INSTRUMENTAL AWARDS

SOUTHLAND GUITARIST OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Jason Taylor Vehicle Sales

- Cav Clearwater
- Michael Crook
- Kian Eriksson
- Vance Manu

SOUTHLAND BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Selector Uniforms

- Hanna Ott
- Rhys White
- Geoff Williams

SOUTHLAND KEYBOARDIST OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by KSOM

- Scott Calvert
- Hollie Longman
- Shane Stuck

SOUTHLAND DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by James McRobie – Ray White

- Antonio Mercuri
- Brendon Monaghan
- Corbyn Shuttleworth

SOUTHLAND INSTRUMENTALIST AWARD
Proudly sponsored by Invercargill Musical Theatre

- Lachlan Checketts
- Megan Gooding
- Lachie McGregor

RECORDING AWARDS

SOUTHLAND SONG OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Hayes Mechanical

- 'Betty' — Anna Van Riel
- 'Bones' — Rhythmonyx
- 'Like Lainey' — Halton Heart

SOUTHLAND EP OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by More FM

- 'The Sound of a Cloud' - Hoodaki
- 'Rhythm & Soul' — Self-Titled
- 'Slur'— Self-Titled

SOUTHLAND ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Threes & Sevens Records

- 'Wooden Leg' - Anna Van Riel
- 'Mentaltainment' - Foul Play Syndicate
- 'Ronnie Stash & The Resistance'

SPECIAL AWARDS

FRANK PRATTLEY AWARD - Southland's Rising Musical Talent
Proudly sponsored by Arts Murihiku
- Lara Kerr

AMBASSADOR AWARD
Proudly sponsored by Model Me Lashes & Beauty
- To be announced on the night!

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- To be announced on the night!

A huge congratulations to every one of our 2026 finalists!
Over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to the finalists and shine a spotlight on the incredible talent represented across each category.

The winners will be announced at the ILT Southland Music Awards & Hall of Fame Show:

Saturday 17 October 2026
ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Book tickets: https://stadiumsouth.flicket.co.nz

Come and celebrate the people who make Southland’s music community so special.

Our 2026 Year in Review has landed 🙌

Inside are some of the moments, milestones and community mahi that made up the past year — including the great work of Southland Football, SPCA Otago/Southland, and many other local groups and initiatives we’re proud to support.

We’re incredibly delighted to have returned $8.38 million to our community this year. Ka mau te wehi!

Read the digital version here:https://ilt.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-Annual-Report.pdf Or get in touch if you’d like a printed copy.

We are 2 months out from launching our 2026 Christmas donation drive for Parent to Parent!

This year we have locations in Invercargill, Gore, Winton and Riverton, with other small towns in the talks. This will be our biggest drive yet!

We want to give a quick shout-out to ILT for allowing us to place donation bins at their bottle venues across Invercargill!

Keep an eye out for more information coming soon!

OUR 2026 SOUTHLAND MUSIC AWARDS FINALISTS!

Following the announcement of our six Southland Entertainer of the Year finalists, we’re thrilled to reveal the talented musicians, performers and creators selected as finalists across our remaining 2026 award categories.

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

SOUTHLAND BAND OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by RIFF – Live Entertainment Venue

- Brenny & The Bushwhackers
- Highland Storm
- Hoodaki

SOUTHLAND VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Fredricks Menswear

- Margi Ferguson
- Jacinta Kerepeti Gilbert
- Kayla Mahon
- Simon Thompson

INSTRUMENTAL AWARDS

SOUTHLAND GUITARIST OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Jason Taylor Vehicle Sales

- Cav Clearwater
- Michael Crook
- Kian Eriksson
- Vance Manu

SOUTHLAND BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Selector Uniforms

- Hanna Ott
- Rhys White
- Geoff Williams

SOUTHLAND KEYBOARDIST OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by KSOM

- Scott Calvert
- Hollie Longman
- Shane Stuck

SOUTHLAND DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by James McRobie – Ray White

- Antonio Mercuri
- Brendon Monaghan
- Corbyn Shuttleworth

SOUTHLAND INSTRUMENTALIST AWARD
Proudly sponsored by Invercargill Musical Theatre

- Lachlan Checketts
- Megan Gooding
- Lachie McGregor

RECORDING AWARDS

SOUTHLAND SONG OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Hayes Mechanical

- 'Betty' — Anna Van Riel
- 'Bones' — Rhythmonyx
- 'Like Lainey' — Halton Heart

SOUTHLAND EP OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by More FM

- 'The Sound of a Cloud' - Hoodaki
- 'Rhythm & Soul' — Self-Titled
- 'Slur'— Self-Titled

SOUTHLAND ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Proudly sponsored by Threes & Sevens Records

- 'Wooden Leg' - Anna Van Riel
- 'Mentaltainment' - Foul Play Syndicate
- 'Ronnie Stash & The Resistance'

SPECIAL AWARDS

FRANK PRATTLEY AWARD - Southland's Rising Musical Talent
Proudly sponsored by Arts Murihiku
- Lara Kerr

AMBASSADOR AWARD
Proudly sponsored by Model Me Lashes & Beauty
- To be announced on the night!

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- To be announced on the night!

A huge congratulations to every one of our 2026 finalists!
Over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to the finalists and shine a spotlight on the incredible talent represented across each category.

The winners will be announced at the ILT Southland Music Awards & Hall of Fame Show:

Saturday 17 October 2026
ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Book tickets: https://stadiumsouth.flicket.co.nz

Come and celebrate the people who make Southland’s music community so special.

A throwback to when some of the Southland Stags paid our Head Office team a visit earlier in the season.

We’re backing the boys today and counting down to their final home game at Rugby Park on Friday 2 October — complete with the ILT Firework Spectacular🎆

Antlers up, Southland!

You might already know the name, but meet Greg Jenks, ILT's Group Hotel Executive Chef and the culinary force behind Ascot Park Hotel's kitchen 🤝🙌

After more than 20 years cooking in kitchens across New Zealand and Australia, our Executive Chef Greg Jenks says nothing beats ingredients from Southland's own backyard.

His latest showcase was a menu built almost entirely around Southland producers for the 2026 Export Gala – Southland to the World.

Here's a taste of what came out of his kitchen on the night 🤤🍽️

Read the full story here: https://ilt.co.nz/ascot-park-hotels-executive-chef-puts-southland-produce-on-show-at-2026-export-awards/

What a great turnout for our 2026 AGM yesterday 🙌 It was lovely to catch up with familiar faces and welcome some new ones.

Thank you, Invercargill, for your continued support — we’re so grateful to have you alongside us 🫶

Read more here https://ilt.co.nz/ilt-maintains-investment-in-people-and-community-through-challenging-trading-year/

Might be a good option for the family this weekend 🌧️🌬️
We love Lug South and are delighted to support them again, helping keep Southland Brickshow entry prices unheard of elsewhere 😉