Police have named the man who died after falling during a climb at Chinaman's Bluff in Central Otago on Friday.

The survivor of a "freak accident" spent a night alone on a narrow ledge at an isolated cliff-face knowing his climbing companion had fallen to his death.

Police release the names of a Lake Tekapo drowning victim and two fishing friends still missing.

Tasmanian police found only one piece of forensic evidence at the crime scene: a leech, engorged with blood.

The NZ grandfather of a teenager trying to become the youngest to sail solo non-stop around the world is convinced she can do it.