The principal of a tiny school in the Hutt Valley faces the heart-breaking task of telling pupils a popular teacher was shot dead at the weekend by a hunter stalking deer at night.

Six people have died in five separate Labour Weekend accidents in Wanganui, Southland, Canterbury, Hawke's Bay and the Waikato.

A midday crash in Southland has resulted in one fatality, bringing the holiday road toll to two after a fatal crash in Hawkes Bay.

A Hamilton man will appear on court on a firearm charge after the death of a woman near Taupo last night.

As holiday-makers head out of Auckland for the long weekend, traffic has already begun to pile up following a crash north of the city.

A 17-year-old has returned to motor racing two years after a crash that paralysed his legs.

A man who drove into the path of a freight train killing his son and injuring two of his daughters and a niece was today jailed for three years.

A launch believed to be worth more than $400,000 was this morning lying wrecked on the Tauranga coast after hitting rocks.