A yellow plastic watch could be a crucial clue in a police investigation into a broad daylight sexual assault on an 11-year-old girl in Napier.

One of New Zealand's most notorious sex offenders has been awarded $1000 in costs after a failed attempt to sue the Corrections Department.

A man who assaulted a woman with the intention of raping her told police he did it because he could not get a "missus", a court has been told.

Mikayla Ziebe, 16, delivered more than 100 leaflets to Napier houses, accusing an elderly man of being a paedophile.

Sexual assaults by players and supporters in last year's Rugby World Cup helped set a new record for assaults on women reported to an Auckland sexual abuse service.

A Cromwell man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for raping and indecently assaulting a girl over a nine-year period some 40 years ago.

Police are interested in photos which may have identified a young victim of Kaitaia sexual predator James Parker.

An Education Ministry inquiry into sex abuse by Far North teacher James Parker will begin this week, but no children will be questioned.

A convicted child rapist was removed from a Hawke's Bay house by probation services after the landlord learned of his background.