Heavy rain in Canterbury created fresh slips on the two roads into Kaikoura yesterday and today, with both roads, Route 70 via Waiau and Mt Lyford, and State Highway 1 south via Cheviot, closed this morning.

Staff at Invercargill Prison have thwarted two opportunities for drug smuggling this week, after finding cannabis under the postage stamps of incoming prisoner mail.

Auckland Transport is aiming to employ more than 200 Transport Officers.

AT says the unprecedented growth in rail patronage means it wants to employ more Transport Officers on Auckland’s trains.

White, bright cost-saving lights are about to spread across the district, as Hastings District Council replaces the old Mercury vapour lights with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

This year has been a challenging one on the weather front, with extreme rainfall amounts recorded across the north and east of the North Island, and along the eastern South Island.

New Plymouth Police have arrested two people following an incident at a Merrilands address where Police were responding to a report of disorder.

Cordons were put in place and the Armed Offenders Squad attended as a precaution.

No one was injured.

Raetihi community groups involved with township and community development came together at a special meeting last night (Thu 21 Sept) to discuss how they can better communicate and coordinate amongst themselves.

Police are continuing the search for missing Dunedin man Stephen Lowe, who has not been seen since Friday, September 15th.

LandSAR is again searching today in the Catlins area, around Mclean Falls, with up to 20 volunteers.

Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart, which opened the doors to its first New Zealand store last month, has unveiled another cheesy delight for its Kiwi customers.

The team at Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart have taken the tart filling and turned it into a unique cheesy soft serve ice cream.

The repair team has made good progress overnight. The replacement section has been welded into place and the initial weld inspections have passed. This is an important milestone. The second weld inspection will be carried out tonight.