A warm-hearted Upper Hutt mother died at her home protecting her son from an axeman, her friends say.

The man charged with the axe murder of an Upper Hutt woman has been named. One woman said the violent incident was a huge shock to the quiet community.

The man accused of the murder of Lower Hutt woman Warriena Wright has posted a lengthy proclamation of his innocence on a bodybuilding website.

A successful appeal by state prosecutors means Oscar Pistorius could have his conviction upgraded from culpable homicide to murder.

Convicted murderer Phillip Smith has made allegations that a "corrupt" corrections officer helped him escape custody last month.

Convicted murderer and child abuser Phillip John Smith has appeared in court via video link, looking starkly different without his hairpiece.

Forensic scientists have spent a week at a house in Epuni, Lower Hutt, combing it for evidence that a murdered local man who was an extra in two Peter Jackson movies was attacked there.

A funeral for Auckland woman Heidi Welman-Scott, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her estranged husband, has been held this morning.

One person has been killed in clashes between Egyptian police and protesters in central Cairo after a court dropped a murder case against ousted strongman Hosni Mubarak.

Brent Scott appeared in court this morning wearing prison issue blue overalls. He was charged with the murder and attempted murder.

A man accused of killing a woman in their Auckland home can now be named.

One of the killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby posted extremist messages on social media websites for six months without the authorities being alerted.

June Steenkamp says Oscar Pistorius treated Reeva like his "arm candy" and tried to dictate what she wore, how she behaved and how she spoke prior to killing her on Valentine's Day in 2013.

A man accused of punching an All Black's heavily pregnant wife says he 'whacked' her because she ran over his daughter.

Balcony murder accused Gable Tostee will have to give up his former playboy lifestyle for strict bail conditions that prevent him from using the dating app Tinder, drinking and partying.

A Papakura man has been charged with murder following a suspected stabbing in Takanini on Monday night.

Accused killer Gable Tostee is expected to find out today whether he will be granted bail.

The trial for two boys accused of killing an Auckland shopkeeper has been delayed by seven months, and will now coincide with the anniversary of his death.

A 38-year-old man has been spoken to by police investigating the death of another man following an altercation in Auckland last night.

Accused balcony killer Gable Tostee has been accused of "bizarre indifference" in his bail hearing today, which has now been adjourned until tomorrow.

Pop music star Justin Bieber has been ordered to appear before a court in Argentina for the alleged assault last year of photographer outside a Buenos Aires nightclub.

Balcony death accused Gable Tostee will argue to be released on bail at a court hearing today.

A homicide investigation has been launched after a man died shortly after turning up to a south Auckland medical centre seeking treatment for stab wounds.

A jury has heard the body of Barbara Moka was wrapped in a blanket and dog chain, then hidden by her partner under a pile of rubbish.

Balcony death accused Gable Tostee will seek release on bail at a court hearing tomorrow, his lawyer says.

Phillip Smith has moved jails in Brazil, as IRD confirmed he'd managed to defraud the taxpayer of $50k while behind bars.

Two men found guilty of murdering a low-level drug dealer during a robbery gone wrong in North Canterbury have been sentenced today - but one offender has avoided a life sentence.

A graduation party in the Bay of Plenty turned sour when a 17-year-old girl was left unconscious after a fight broke out this morning.