A backlash against big spikes in departure tax for people travelling on long-haul flights from Britain has gone global.

The widow of 'Good Samaritan' murder victim Austin Hemmings welcomed his killer's guilty plea outside court today and called for law-makers to toughen up on knife crime.

New Zealand light-weight scullers Storm Uru and Peter Taylor are through to the semifinals at the Rowing World Championships.

Sunday Times rugby writer Stephen Jones has labelled the All Blacks' haka as the 'instrument of the worst kind of sporting arrogance'.

A woman has died after being hit by a suspected drink-driver when she and a friend stopped for a roadside picnic yesterday.

An eco-friendly NZ holiday house has been named in the world's top 15 for its unique design.

David Dougherty - compensated in 2001 for wrongful imprisonment - is in court again accused of stealing meat, beer, socks, DVDs and underwear.

A drink-driver lost control and hit two women who had stopped for a roadside picnic yesterday morning. Witnesses said the car's skid marks measured more than 100m.

Religious extremists have been sending cards to the elderly asking them to pick the date they will die.

A hospital emergency department is being investigated after a doctor filled out a "do not resuscitate" order, allegedly without consent.

A surly swan is terrorising a stretch of Nelson's Maitai River - chasing kids, harassing a woman with a pram and having a hissy fit at a kayaker.

Access to one of NZ's top fishing rivers has been closed - upsetting local tourism operators and anglers throughout the country.