The Star (Dunedin, NZ)

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Eloise Gibson

The Tasman District Council is expecting rivers across the region to be running at high levels and is warning residents to prepare for flooding. Nine airport baggage handlers are among 18 people arrested in a $24 million drug-smuggling bust in Auckland. An Ashburton man fears a child will drown at a Tinwald playground built metres from stormwater drainage. Tributes are flowing for Tāmaki Makaurau MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp, who died early today at the age of 50.

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Jonathan Leask

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. CanterburyChristchurchThe Selwyn District Council claims it has “the lowest rates” in Canterbury, but not everyone is convinced. Local ratepayers might actually be feeling hard done by as they face a 14.2% average rate increase this year - one of the steeper rises of the country's councils. It comes on the back of a 14.9% increase last year.

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Jonathan Leask

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. CanterburyDistrictsBy Jonathan Leask, local democracy reporterPeter King from Ashburton fears a child will drown at a Tinwald playground built metres from stormwater drainage. The Ashburton District council says it is working on a solution. King said he's not one to usually make waves, but something has to be done.

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Eloise Gibson

Victims to get final say over sex offenders' name suppressions New legislation that will ensure the courts cannot issue a permanent name suppression order for an adult convicted of a sexual offence, unless the victim agrees to it. Parts of Canterbury experienced "massive" 250kmh wind gusts overnight, as an active front moved up the South Island, and a slip has closed Haast Pass.

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Felicity Dear

A Dunedin rape victim had to fight to get her case heard after the city’s prosecutors declined to take on the case. Last week, Sam Thomas Foster, 20, appeared in the Dunedin District Court and was jailed for more than four years for raping the woman when she was living at residential hall Salmond College in 2022. In a statement to court, the victim said complaining to police and going through the court process had been the hardest thing she had ever had to do.