An Invercargill woman says the reappearance of her rapist at the end of her driveway yesterday was traumatic, but police say he has done nothing wrong.

Craig Crofts was convicted in 2004 of raping the woman and, to her horror, he moved in next door to her in 2011.

His actions sparked outrage in the community.

Crofts, who shifted away from his victim at the time, has now moved back into her neighbourhood, police say.

Yesterday, the woman's partner said he called police when he saw Crofts at the end of the driveway. When he got closer, Crofts continued walking, he said.

The woman's partner understood that Crofts wasn't living next door any more, but said he was living in the neighbourhood.

When the woman's partner called police after seeing Crofts walk past, two officers arrived about five minutes later.

The woman said she was not aware Crofts had been living near her again until he had been seen outside the house.

"It made me cringe - I would just rather stay inside now."

The woman said she did not want to leave the house knowing he was in the area.

Acting Senior Sergeant Wing-wah Ng confirmed a caller had told police that Crofts was walking along the street that the woman lived on. Ng said Crofts had not committed a criminal offence by doing so.

Police were aware that Crofts lived in her neighbourhood, he said.

In September, Justice Minister Judith Collins proposed a new protection order under the Harassment Act that would allow victims of serious sexual or violent crimes to apply to a court to prevent their attacker living or working near their home. Collins asked her officials to investigate the loophole after The Southland Times' story about Crofts moving next door to the woman he raped.

In November, Collins announced that a bill to amend the act - including restrictions for offenders on visiting particular locations or geographical areas - would be introduced in the House early this year.

Collins could not be reached for comment last night.