British detectives have issued a $10,000 reward for the arrest of a New Zealand fugitive suspected of killing a gay man in his UK home.

Serious violent and sexual assaults have spiked over the Christmas period in Auckland's CBD - and police say alcohol is to blame.

Footage from the police Taser gun allegedly used by a woman against a Northland policeman during a vicious assault is now being used as potential evidence against the attackers.

A Tongan overstayer who raped a 17-year-old stranger in a Rotorua park has been jailed for more than eight years.

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 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.