The victims of a violent axe attack that took place in Wellington last year have had their name suppression lifted, after a man appeared in court today.

Bali police have shot and arrested the man who allegedy organised the murder of New Zealand-raised businessman Robert Ellis.

A woman who was hit over the head with a bottle and severely beaten during a "terrifying" home invasion says the ordeal has left her scared of going out at night alone.

A 23-year-old man was left with an iron bar lodged in his head after being viciously attacked in the Bay of Plenty overnight.

A father whose baby died in suspicious circumstances more than four months ago is furious detectives have still not told him how his son died.

An examination of the scene of a homicide at a Woodville property has been completed.

Aaliyah Ashlyn Chand died at Christchurch Hospital on Wednesday with her parents by her bedside.

Christchurch's tight-knit Fijian-Indian community is looking to rally around the parents of a 1-year-old baby girl who died after suffering serious head injuries.

Two American tourists who were viciously assaulted less than 48 hours into their holiday say it won't ruin their time here.

Police have confirmed that a man attacked at an Auckland motel died of head injuries.

Family of man who died in hospital after attack Auckland motel say they are shocked as post-mortem examination to uncover exact cause of fatal injuries.

Police have named the victim who died in hospital after suffering injuries at a motel in Epsom yesterday, but are still hunting two men over the death.

A homicide investigation has been launched after a man died at Auckland City Hospital this afternoon.

A senior policeman is recovering from facial injuries after an alleged attack by a man he pulled over at the weekend - not the first time he has been assaulted on the job.

A woman has been charged over the death of a man at a 21st party in Auckland at the weekend.

A 36-year old man has been charged with murder after a death at a 21st birthday party, which police say may have been sparked by an argument over the music.

A person has reportedly been stabbed to death this morning. Just after 1am police were called to an address in Otara where a person was stabbed and believed to have died from the injuries.

The man accused of stabbing his wife to death and attempting to murder his stepdaughter and her boyfriend in Auckland will defend the charges.

The man charged with killing a New Zealander whose remains were found in a chilly bin in rural Queensland is due to have his case heard in court today.

The family of an Otago man beaten to death in a prolonged and brutal attack cried out with pain and relief as his ''gutless'' killers were found guilty of murder.

The scene where an Upper Hutt mother died in a brutal axe attack remains cordoned off today, with investigators combing the area.

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.