Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch, who participated in the torture and killing of Kiwi Rob Hamill's brother, Kerry, is sentenced to 35 years jail.

A former Olympian punched, strangled and repeatedly raped a woman while dragging her through a house, a jury heard today.

Police have eliminated a woman seen giving away puppies from their murder inquiry and want to hear from two motorists.

The family of a man shot dead by a high-powered air rifle is welcoming a policy change that will see all those with such weapons requiring a firearms licence.

The country's youngest convicted killer has been charged with assault after allegedly punching his mum on Mother's Day.

Gun killings in NZ have declined the most in an international comparison - even though it has less strict licensing laws than Canada and Australia.

Brad Chapman said he would never forgive Tonya Bennett for setting fire to his Pukekohe home knowing his mother was asleep upstairs.

Police investigating the slaying of farmer Scott Guy are following up reports of a woman trying to give away chocolate coloured Labrador puppies in a Palmerston North car park.

An armed gang member is still at large after a fruitless police search in east Hamilton this morning.

A teenager who admitted murdering a mother-of-three by setting her house alight was today jailed for a minimum of 11 and a half years.

Police have admitted a man they gunned down pointed a stolen air rifle but never fired before they started shooting. And the man's brother says it wasn't loaded.

Shannon Lawson, 38, who was shot by police in west Auckland on Sunday, has been remanded in custody after a brief appearance in court today.

Police say Colin Rangi Robyn Kiriona is dangerous and should not be approached.

A dozen people have contacted police about a possible link between the murder of farmer Scott Guy and the theft of three puppies.