After a woman signalled the "thumbs down" at a police officer when driving past him, he pursued her and ripped her top as he tried to grab her, exposing her underwear, and then tried to enter her home.

The Canterbury Regional Council has received more than 2000 reports about a putrid stench from Christchurch's wastewater treatment plant since the start of the year.

Opposition parties are criticising the coalition for having "secret" talks with the United States about the supply of rare and critical minerals.

Witnesses are being sought in relation to the grounding of a Black Cat Cruises catamaran near Akaroa on Banks Peninsula.