Police have released the name of a toddler who drowned in a rubbish hole on a Southland farm yesterday.

A South Island couple in their 50s has admitted taking nearly $180,000 in welfare benefits over 23 years.

An unlicensed real estate agent has appeared in court after approaching people in Gore about selling their properties privately.

He is from another era of current affairs television and tonight (Friday afternoon NZ time) that era will end.

The rural town of Gore has turned itself into a creative hub, writes Anna Hart.

Now in its 22nd year, Gore's Hokonui Fashion Awards continue to attract and inspire designers of all levels.

A schoolbus driver was taken to court for trying to stop a boy from pulling a girl's hair - but the judge dismissed the charge and instead put the boy in jail.