An Otago Harbour ferry has advertised an option for passengers to "add a sheep" to their ticket for more than two years as a joke, and Dave the lamb has been the first to take them up on the offer.

A Canterbury man has been banned from owning horses for three years after several animals were found in poor condition on his property.

Panicked locals are on edge as police continue to scour a rural town for a fugitive gunman who shot two officers dead in what is being described as an ambush.

Christchurch City Council is worried about the number of people climbing into refuse pits and children getting out of vehicles at rubbish dumps.

A former Sydney police officer will fight accusations he murdered two men with his service weapon, his lawyer says.

Retirees who are renting or are women are being hit hard by the cost of living as the price of rate, insurance and power can vary month-to-month, a researcher says.