Invercargill Police has urged members of the public to come forward with information about the assault of a female student.

A schoolboy believed to have been abducted by his stepfather could be suffering from the capture-bonding Stockholm syndrome: psychologist.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt is facing allegations of defamation from one of his city councillors.

New questions about the movements of John Beckenridge in the weeks before he snatched his stepson from school and disappeared have been raised.

An electrical fire at an Invercargill school is now under control after breaking out early this morning.

Police investigating the case of a missing Southland schoolboy are still hunting down leads that he is alive and remains in New Zealand.

An Invercargill school has changed its roll-checking procedures after a schoolboy, Mike Zhao-Beckenridge, was allegedly abducted by his stepfather.

A man has been charged with causing the death of a Winton truck driver injured at a Christmas party in the town last year.

Stephen Phillip Long wiped away tears yesterday as the Invercargill District Court heard how he mistook his son for a white-tailed deer.

A truck driver was taken to Southland Hospital with moderate to serious injuries last night after being trapped in his crashed truck for almost four hours.

Stewart Island pub quizmaster posts cheeky photo of prince as he experiences island life in the raw.

Prince Harry charmed his way into the hearts of many southerners on the second leg of his royal tour.

Forensic testing is continuing today on the car of missing man John Beckenridge after it was hauled from the foot of a cliff.

Police say they still do not know whether bodies have been found in the car linked to missing Invercargill boy Michael Zhao-Beckenridge.

A seriously injured driver was trapped in his vehicle after it and an empty fuel tanker collided in Invercargill today.

A woman was attacked in her Invercargill home at knifepoint, police said.

The Police National Dive Squad has left Curio Bay, as weather conditions continue to hamper the search for clues to the disappearance of an Invercargill boy and his stepfather.

The police national dive team has joined the Catlins search for missing 11-year-old Mike Zhao-Beckenridge and his stepfather, John Beckenridge.

After a heartbreaking terminal cancer diagnosis for newborn Southland identical twin girls the community has raised close to $30,000 for the grieving parents.

Police still have fears for the wellbeing of 11-year-old Mike Zhao-Beckenridge, who has now been missing for a week.

Concern for a missing 11-year-old Invercargill boy is growing as police continue to search for the boy and his stepfather, who is believed to have absconded with him five days ago.

A couple who were on the run after allegedly assaulting and threatening a woman with a knife and stealing a car have been arrested in Dunedin.

A former meatworks employee, who complained of intimidation by a fellow worker after he cut up animal hearts in front of him, has been awarded $5000.

Most of the 25 cats owned by Invercargill woman Averil Gardiner have been rehomed to meet a court's deadline.

'The time has come for reality to sink in,' said a judge as he ordered an Invercargill woman to dispose of 22 of cats.

An Invercargill woman went to great lengths to hide her face yesterday during a court hearing over the 25 cats she keeps on her property.