An Auckland doctor hoping to be accepted into a programme to become a surgeon has escaped conviction for repeatedly assaulting his wife and threatening to kill her.

A primary school teacher has been arrested and charged with indecently assaulting pupils at the Auckland school where he worked.

Police are still investigating the mysterious death of Paeroa pizza shop owner Jordan Voudouris, who was gunned down six months ago.

A woman's body has been discovered in the early hours of this morning in a house in Ashburton.

A man charged with the 2008 murder of Christchurch prostitute Mellory Manning will stand trial next year.

A Haast man was sentenced to nine months' supervision and ordered to pay his former partner $500 for emotional harm after being convicted of an assault.

A woman who was allegedly assaulted by her partner while driving, was helped by good samaritans after she managed to stop her vehicle, police say.

Police have apologised to the family of Notorious B.I.G. for releasing the murdered rapper's autopsy without talking to them first.

More than 40 New Zealand religious leaders have taken a joint stand today against violence towards women or children.

More than 3500 domestic-violence reports were made to Northland police in the year to June - nearly 10 a day - but family violence experts say the problem is much bigger.

The sister of a "big, gentle, kind kid" stabbed in the face with a screwdriver in Wanganui still hopes the police will find her brother's attacker.

Members of the public have come forward with new information about the 1969 murder of Welsh hitchhiker Jennifer Beard.

Police returned bloodstained knives used in the murder of a young mum to her family - in a box with other items still covered in blood.

There was standing room only at Michelle Hoffman-Tamm's funeral as tributes flowed for a woman whose greatest joy was to help others.