Hamish McNeilly

The victim of a gang fight who allegedly punched and kicked a Good Samaritan, and then stole his car, has been arrested by Dunedin police.

The Government's Whanau Ora scheme is being ''ripped off by all and sundry'', New Zealand First leader Winston Peters claims, following revelations over possible widespread gang involvement.

Diesel supplies for the South Island are expected to remain tight until further shipments arrive later this month.

Whanau Ora Minister Tariana Turia remains confident a grant used by a Dunedin-based gang to buy cannabis was an ''isolated incident'', despite intercepted phone calls revealing it may have been used as a model for gang chapters nationwide.

Cannabis and opiates accounted for the majority of drugs detected in the workplace, figures show.

Police have rejected introducing tougher physical testing times for older officers.

Recent work on Dunedin's former chief post office in the Exchange was an effort to secure the site of the proposed hotel project, while discussions were continuing with a possible tenant.

Jarrod Allan Mangles, who murdered Arrowtown woman Maureen McKinnel 25 years ago, has been declined parole as he ''poses an undue risk to the safety of the community'', the Parole Board has decided.

A man has received an official warning after being accused of racially abusing an autistic man in central Dunedin earlier this month.

Dozens of racing clubs in the South have been ordered to hand over files as part of a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) probe into pokie grants; while the Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain confirms he is investigating options to ''tighten up regulations'' for the sector.