Latest fromSouth Island

Police launch new search for missing Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao
Yanfei Bao was last seen alive on July 19.

Toddler death: Dad sees nothing positive in police decision to review investigation
Paul Jones said looking into the investigation is not going to fix anything.

'Callous disregard': Mama Hooch rapists handed hefty prison terms
Mama Hooch rapists - brothers Danny and Roberto Jaz - are being sentenced today.

Wettest winter in 100 years: Marlborough’s record rainfall revealed year on from state of emergency
Rainfall report released almost a year after devastating weather thrashed South Island.

Hostel a backpackers and boarding house for homeless
Hostel a boarding house for the homeless, while also claiming to be a backpackers.

Fleeing driver arrested after allegedly stealing car to evade police
Police signalled the driver to stop after they were seen driving erratically.

Lachie Jones tragedy: Police admit missing steps probing toddler’s mysterious death
The 3-year-old was found face up in a small town’s oxidation pond 1.2km from home.

David Benbow defence team accuses police of 'tunnel vision'
Benbow is accused of killing childhood friend Michael McGrath in 2017.

Assault outside school gates: Two women arrested
Two women in their 20s are due to appear in court.

Police seek Mazda Bounty impersonating cop car
Mystery driver allegedly drove along the road with the lights and siren blaring.

Mama Hooch rapists to be sentenced today - more than 10 victims to read emotional statements in court
Mama Hooch rapists - brothers Danny and Roberto Jaz - will today be jailed for sex crimes

No body, no weapon murder case: ‘Means, motive and opportunity merged into murder’, Crown says
Michael McGrath was last seen alive in May 2017.

'He'll be sorely missed': Author, journalist Ron Palenski remembered
The sportswriter died in Dunedin.

Man charged over fatal Hanmer Springs crash
A 49-year-old Napier man will appear before the courts later this month.

New Crusaders head coach opens up on chasing a dynasty
'There will be no breakdancing,' says Rob Penney.

Police request information after responding to assault outside school
The incident occurred outside an intermediate school in Nelson around 3pm yesterday.

Queenstown's epic 13-hour ski-trip detour you won’t regret
From sea level to the top of Wānaka’s highest ski field at 2088m. And back down again.

Boy racers harming zoo animals with skids and burnouts
Police have launched an investigation after the boy racers' antics near the zoo.

Protestors chained themselves to town’s century-old trees - but the axe still fell
Protesters disappointed they could not save trees from chopping block.

New Zealander missing in Brisbane, homicide detectives called in to help local police
Kiwi Brett Orme missing from Brisbane since August 11; disappearance suspicious - police.

Skiing accident: Man suffers back injuries after ‘300m slide’
Helicopters scrambled after reports of serious injuries.

Teen allegedly spat in officer’s face after car thefts
A teenager allegedly stole multiple cars before fleeing and being arrested.

No body, no weapon murder case: New jury to be selected
The trial has been stopped and a new jury will be selected tomorrow.

Queenstown housing crisis: Sleeping in a car under five blankets in sub-zero conditions
Diego Leon, who works at a local juice bar, now calls his Honda Odyssey car his home.

More than 16 years’ jail for abusing stepdaughters
Stepfather blames God for telling him to sexually abuse his stepdaughters.

Brutal assault after work function in Queenstown
Four weeks in hospital recovering from street attack after a company awards evening.

Woman kidnapped and raped after seeking a ride on Facebook, court told
Woman posted on a sober drivers' Facebook page, seeking a ride home.

Motueka’s Te Āwhina Marae prepares for first whānau to move into game-changing papakāinga
Excitement as Te Āwhina Marae prepares to welcome the first whānau of the 20-home project.

‘No, no, no’: Dashcam captures shocking near-head-on collision
"That ute was a blink away from a fatal collision," road safety campaigner says.