Police say justice has finally been served for two women, over separate sexual attacks nearly a year apart - in South Auckland's Otara Creek Reserve

Longtime sex offender Johnathan Tamihana has this week been sentenced to preventive detention - putting him back behind bars indefinitely.

Police say a French backpacker was sexually assaulted in broad daylight at the Reserve in 2023, and a local woman almost a year later.

33-year-old Tamihana pleaded guilty to indecent assault, threatening to kill, and assault with intent to commit sexual violation.