The Electoral Commission has declared Louisa Wall as Darren Hughes' replacement in Parliament. Mr Hughes resigned last month amidst a police investigation into a sexual complaint made against him by an 18-year-old student.

Politicians have defended a planned $2 million plastic waka as a "spectacular" addition to Auckland's waterfront. It will be erected on Auckland's waterfront, close to Queen's Wharf for the Rugby World Cup in September.

A honeymooning pair claim to have run into not one, but six natural disasters as they followed their itinerary around the globe.

Queensland's recovery has taken giant strides forward after a summer of floods and Cyclone Yasi, teh state premier says.

Police say there does not appear to be any foul play involved in a death of a woman in west Auckland earlier today.

The Commerce Commission wants to look at potential barriers to end-user uptake of ultra-fast broadband.

Labour has called the Govt's revised $1.2b South Canterbury Finance bill a "disaster of epic proportions", saying Finance Minister Bill English "grossly mishandled" the situation and should resign as a result.

Australian netball's worst fears were formalised today with inspirational captain Sharelle McMahon ruled out of July's world championships.

A young man on a rehabilitation programme for offenders has been stabbed outside the Probation Service building in Palmerston North.

A woman who died in a Rotorua house fire early today would probably have been saved had the house been fitted with smoke alarms, firefighters say. Six occupants were taken to Rotorua Hospital for minor smoke inhalation. Two ambulances