A Golden Bay couple already reeling after a police raid last March were shocked to learn of an earlier secret search of their home. Rolf and Ute Kleine, who run teahouse and bakery, Takaka Infusion, received an email last week from Detective Senior Sergeant Aaron Pascoe that attached a signed copy of a search warrant and a "postponement notice". That notice had enabled police to keep the search secret for 12 months. "We had no clue," Rolf Kleine said. "I had to read it three times. A property...

Three West Coast police officers have launched a defamation case after what their lawyer describes as a witch hunt..

Inspector John Canning( above), Senior Sergeant Allyson Ealam, and Senior Sergeant Phillip Barker are placing their careers on the line with the case against Tasman District Commander Superintendent Karyn Malthus and the Attorney General.

The trio have a combined 85 years worth of experience in the police force.

"They're feeling pretty...