A young man with severe brain injuries was fighting for his life in hospital last night after a huge brawl - possibly sparked by gatecrashers - at an Auckland 21st birthday party.

A 22-year-old West Auckland man is in a critical condition following a brawl outside a 21st birthday party.

Wairoa police will meet with the town's mayor and the local MP next week after the second gang-related shooting in five days.

A student at a top Auckland school has been arrested after stabbing another teenager during a public fight organised online.

One of NZ's most notorious killers allegedly raped and abducted a girl, 14, in a previously unreported case before going on to commit murder.

Police and the armed offenders squad will be out in force in the northern Hawke's Bay town of Wairoa tonight.

A judge has paid tribute to the bravery of a bar manager and a patron who foiled the armed robbery of a Christchurch bar.

More serious charges may be laid against the hunter who accidentally shot and killed teacher Rosemary Ives at a campsite last weekend.

Auckland police say they have been assured by Chinese authorities that Zhen Xiao will not face the death sentence if he is convicted of murdering Auckland taxi driver Hiren Mohini.

Duncan and Emma Woods will forever be haunted by the final moments they spent with their son, 4, before he was hit by a car on the footpath.

John Key says he's looking into Rochelle Crewe's request for an independent inquiry into her parents' murders.

One witness has told a murder trial the accused was kissing his girlfriend before he crashed into a car, and another that they were arguing.

Thomas and Leanne Papuni have waited months for the truth about the killing of their 11-year-old son Triston by a 12-year-old relative.

A man who mistook a woman at a campsite before he allegedly shot and killed her is said to be devastated and is vowing to give up guns.