A man who rescued two of his children from a house fire last night was lucky to escape with only burns to his hand, the Fire Service says.

Wedding couples have been left scrambling for venues by the failure of a string of Auckland restaurant businesses.

The Associate Health Minister says he is confident it is safe for a schizophrenic man who beat a friend to death to be out unescorted in public, despite the victim's brother's pleas.

A schizophrenic man who beat a friend to death after being released from psychiatric care - despite telling staff he wanted to kill someone - is allowed back into the community without supervision.

Hobbiton has put Matamata on the map, but with production of The Hobbit shifting overseas, the town's future as a tourist hub is in jeopardy.

Among the 24 state sector CEOs whose performance over the year had been reviewed, six were paid more, five were paid less and 13 stayed the same.

An old postcard has revealed skeletons under the Mt Maunganui beach and an academic says a new bill would allow access to be restricted.