Police have been unable to identify the body of a man found in a New Plymouth garage last night.

A proposed three strikes law would have done nothing to prevent some of New Zealand's most notorious killings, critics say.

Diane Elizabeth White died of head injuries after she was allegedly attacked by her neighbour on a suburban Hamilton street.

Judith Collins has criticised the prison guards' union for suggesting the Government's 'three-strike' policy would put guards at risk.

Neighbours of a murdered Hamilton woman say authorities knew of tensions between her and her alleged killer, and should have acted sooner.

The handling of a 111 emergency call made to police shortly before a woman was found dead in her home is being referred to the Independent Police Complaints Authority.

A woman twice called a mental health centre for help when one of its patients came to her home, before the patient returned with blood on her face.

Lawyers for a former All Black lock, who is facing accusations from a teenage girl of sexual assault, say he is distressed by the situation but can't comment until an investigation is over.

Preventive detention will be retained as a sentencing option for judges under the Government's proposed "three strikes" legislation, Police Minister Judith Collins said today.

Offenders with a record will have "nothing to lose" and could be more likely to kill under the three-strikes law, a prisoners' advocate says.

"I am still in Sobibor 67 years on," the trembling man told Court 101. "I still have nightmares about the place.

National and Act have agreed to pass a three-strikes law under which some killers will be locked away in prison without any chance of release.

Kiwis league star Steve Matai was savagely set upon by three party-goers outside Matai's own Sydney home.

Former All Black Robin Brooke is facing legal threats over allegations he assaulted a teenager in Fiji, amid revelations that another rugby star was with him at the luxury resort.

A man forced his partner to repeatedly punch his face in a bid to get her locked up for assault, a court was told today.

Police have named the Kaikohe woman who died after what police allege was a domestic violence attack.

A homicide inquiry has been launched after a Kaikohe woman died following what police allege was a domestic violence attack.