A teenage girl police believe was beaten at home was forced to hide her facial injuries behind a burqa while Muslim community members allegedly hushed up the abuse.

The wife of a man left with a permanent brain injury after he was attacked by a drunk and violent teen - who later stabbed three people while on bail - has lashed out at the slow court process.

Police say they have no idea why two masked men assaulted a 65-year-old woman in her south Otago home last night.

Bassett Rd machinegun murders 50 years ago solved swiftly but mystery remains over one of the gunmen

Investigators have released a photo of a man being sought over the attempted abduction of a 13-year-old girl who was dragged off her bicycle into bush near Timaru.

Queensland police say the victims of a machete attack in Rockhampton have terrible wounds to their legs, arms and bodies.

Lance Scullin was "always there in times of trouble", but after a violent clash with a group of youths he turned down offers of help. 12 hours later, he was dead.

The family of a suspected murder victim say police should be renewing their hunt after 27 years and that a television documentary maker may hold some keys, reports Phil Taylor

A policeman sitting in his car with his family warned a gang member not to do anything stupid moments before being punched in the head.

A policewoman is being investigated following a complaint that she assaulted a taxi driver earlier this month.

The family of murdered Wellington woman Rongmei Fan have described her as a beautiful daughter and a caring mother.

Verbal trespass notices have been served on ringleaders of a brawl between more than 30 people outside McDonald's in Ashburton on Sunday morning.

A man who had his neck broken during a brutal attack in an Auckland park might have died or been left paralysed if not for the help of a stranger.

The Roast Busters controversy was top of mind for many anti-violence marchers taking part in today's White Ribbon Day parade in Auckland.

Men overestimate how much their peers tolerate derogatory comments towards women and underestimate other men's willingness to step in to stop violence, a new paper says.

Members of the west Auckland community shaken by the Roast Busters scandal will march against violence towards women tomorrow.

The thugs responsible for brutal assaults on journalist Phillip Cotrell and trainee teacher Tarun Asthana show we have a problem with street violence, Paul Thomas says.

The family of slain Wellington woman Rongmei Fan will arrive in the country this weekend, police say.

The man found guilty of kidnapping and murdering Hamilton woman Rae Portman maintains his innocence, his lawyer says.

A British woman pleaded guilty to the murders of three men whose bodies were found dumped in ditches.

The jury in the High Court at Auckland has retired to consider its verdict in the case of two men on trial over the murder of Rae Portman.

The man accused of killing Rae Portman claims the defendant had no reason to kill her, according to his lawyer.