A young Invercargill boy with brain cancer had his spirits lifted on Friday by a visit from a new police pup. 

Jake, 6, has stage four brain cancer and after six weeks of radiation, surgeons removed a tumour the size of a golf ball. 

He travelled to Christchurch yesterday to start chemotherapy.

But, before he left, his mum Jane organised a surprise visit to help cheer him up. 

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"Jake met Police pup Paiku, Invercargill Police’s newest addition to our whanau," reads of Southern District Police Facebook post 

"It would be fair to say that Paiku has a strong chase drive, running after Jakes 4-year-old brother Ben.

"A small care package was delivered to Jake and Ben to remind them of our visit."

Last week, Southern District Police officers were also out and about helping Gore kids learn some emergency life skills. 

Gore Police, along with Emergency Management and Public Health South, organised another Clued Up Kids event, held at the Gore Town & Country Club last Wednesday. 

About 150 local Year 5 & 6 students from six schools attended, learning about seatbelt safety, what to do if they discover fire, and how to do CPR, and other skills and knowledge, all through practical exercises. 

Fire and Emergency NZ, St John, Riverton Coastguard NZ, Head Injury Society, Road Safety Southland, Land Search & Rescue New Zealand and Hokonui Huanui Youth Workers also attended the event.