A man who killed his friend with a punch and then buried him in a shallow grave has had his jail term reduced on appeal.

The sister of the 11-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed a classmate in the head with scissors has complained to the Ministry of Education about the school.

Police investigating the homicide of Wanganui man Brett Hall have arrested and charged a man with his murder.

The family of an 11-year-old boy stabbed with a pair of classroom scissors have forgiven the child police believe was responsible for inflicting the life-threatening injury, a relative says.

Surrounded by five security guards and with his hands cuffed together, prisoner Damian Karl Wereta made no attempt today to escape the courtroom dock.

The mother of an eight month old Hamilton boy who died following head injuries received at home has released a statement.

The child alleged to have stabbed his classmate in the head with scissors still hasn't been formally interviewed by police.

A grieving father is stunned at the sentences handed to three men responsible for his son's death, while the victim's mother says she wishes the offenders were dead instead.

A hospital chaplain was assaulted with a box cutter and a stick after telling a man attempting to rob his collection boxes, "You can't take God's money".

A 12-year-old boy is facing a new charge of manslaughter over the killing of a west Auckland dairy owner, and his case will now move to the High Court.

The murder of dairy owner Arun Kumar has shocked the central Henderson community. But locals say youth crime in the area has been escalating for months.

Aucklander Tina Helg had no idea that her Greenlane home was the scene of one of New Zealand's most sensational murders.

The key figure in one of the most notorious murders in New Zealand colonial history has been pardoned.

A man accused of assaulting an 8-month-old baby who has since died has been charged with the infant's murder.

A man accused of assaulting an 8-month-old baby who has since died will reappear in court later this week.

A baby boy in Hamilton who was airlifted to Starship Children's hospital with critical injuries on Sunday has died.

A man accused of assaulting an 8-month-old baby has been remanded in custody to reappear tomorrow.

Slain shopkeeper Arun Kumar was cremated today as hundreds of mourners gathered to remember him.

Angry parents say justice system is protecting boys whose attack after rugby ended their 15-year-old’s life

The grandmother of a 13-year-old charged with murdering Arun Kumar says her thoughts are with the dairy owner's family.

An Auckland teenager has admitted his role in attacking schoolboy Stephen Dudley and will be sentenced in August.

Police will not be drawn on how Wellsford toddler Stevve Lawson received fatal head injuries, or whose custody she was in when she was hurt.

Prime Minister John Key is confident Education Minister Hekia Parata did not hit a staff member, as alleged by Labour MP Trevor Mallard yesterday.

A West Auckland man accused of murdering his wife and daughter will be assessed by a psychiatrist to determine his fitness to stand trial.

A mother who cut her baby's throat was reunited just months later with the child inside the psychiatric facility where she was being treated.

Samoan rugby legend Brian Lima has been found guilty of charges relating to a public attack on his ex-wife.

Residents in a quiet, family neighbourhood were left shocked and fearful after tragedy struck in their midst last weekend.