ILT

22/09/2026

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.

17/09/2026

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.

12/09/2026

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!

10/09/2026

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/

09/09/2026

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/

04/09/2026

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 😉

04/09/2026

SOUTHLAND MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2026
- proudly sponsored by SBS Bank

ASHER SKERRETT

We’re amped to introduce our second Southland Music Hall of Fame inductee for 2026.

Asher Skerrett has been the driving force in an impressive catalogue of Southland bands for over 30 years. The bass player for well-known lineups including Virtual Reality, Shoot the Bunny, Voodoo Lounge, The Diagonals, and In the Pocket, Asher is a respected creative powerhouse and master of his musical craft.

His professional career has taken him throughout New Zealand and Australia, while at home he has remained one of the most trusted and accomplished musicians in the Southland scene - providing the groove behind countless bands, backing line-ups, recordings and major local productions.

Asher’s contribution also reaches far beyond the stage. Through his many years teaching contemporary music and audio production at the Southern Institute of Technology, he has helped shape and inspire generations of emerging musicians.

Join us as we proudly induct Asher Skerrett into the Southland Music Hall of Fame at this year’s ILT Southland Music Awards & Hall of Fame Show.

Asher will perform on the night alongside his fellow Hall of Fame inductees and our Entertainer of the Year finalists.

Saturday 17 October 2026
ILT Stadium Southland

One very special night celebrating Southland music.

Tickets: https://stadiumsouth.flicket.co.nz/events/e51a7a3b-bb93-40b0-8d4a-0c13888fbb52

28/08/2026

Proud to support lifesaving defibs in our community — you hope you’ll never need one, but thank goodness they’re there when it counts.

Big shout-out to Sasha for her quick actions, and to the amazing Hato Hone St John team who keep this lifesaving equipment ready to go.

We are continually grateful to the fabulous ILT Foundation for their support in providing over 80 lifesaving AED's across our community, as you never know when there may be a need 👍 No-one more thankful than the lovely Sasha, owner/operator at New World Windsor who recently supported a life save for a loved customer 💛 Sasha said what an experience following the 111 call - with our crews, a team from FENZ and Police all attending in super quick time. Sasha was very thankful she had access to this ILTF funded defibrillator, which is easy to use following the simple prompts ☺️ Everyone achieving great outcomes together, how amazing!

26/08/2026

We love Miharo Murihiku Polyfest and are so excited for this week’s performances! 🎉

Last year, 8,643 performers took to the stage, sharing the talent, culture and pride that make Murihiku Polyfest so special 🫶 You’ve still got time to come along and support this year’s performers at ILT Stadium Southland until Friday.

17/08/2026

Rugby Park is getting a little extra sparkle. ✨

We’re excited to announce the return of the ILT Fireworks Spectacular, set to launch at full-time of the Southland Stags’ final regular-season home game against Northland on Friday, 2 October.

Come along for a big night supporting the Stags, then, once the final whistle has blown, look up and enjoy! See you there. 🎆

Read all the details here: ilt.co.nz/rugby-southland-and-ilt-light-up-the-night-with-return-of-fireworks-spectacular