As the boy who was struck in the head by an electric fence post at his Invercargill school recovers in hospital, another pupil remained at home today.

Police have confirmed the boy who was critically injured on Friday at an Invercargill school was struck in the head by an electric fence post.

A 10-year-old schoolboy is in an induced coma after a "tragic incident" at an Invercargill school yesterday.

Nine children rehearsing for a singing contest at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill this afternoon have been rushed to hospital.

Martin Hutchin sold investment properties in Invercargill and Huntly and was described as a "risk to the community".

An Invercargill aquatic centre targeted by a serial pooper earlier this year is now "incident free", says its relieved manager.

Invercargill police are seeking information about a suspicious fire in the city.

Locals in the remote Catlins area who saw John Beckenridge in the days before he disappeared with his 11-year-old stepson are adamant the pair are alive.

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

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.

The Meatworkers Union claimed for monies owed by Lean Meats after the company failed to provide paid rest breaks which it had agreed to in its employment contract.

Police are refusing to release any findings in relation to car of missing man John Beckenridge until all forensic testing is complete.

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.

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.