Police today found "odd-shaped" bits of concrete at the building site that is the focus of the Carmen Thomas murder inquiry.

Some British consumers say they won't buy New Zealand lamb because of concerns over the halal method of killing animals.

A grieving dad has told how he cradled his 10-year-old daughter in his arms as she passed away from an asthma attack.

Notorious DJ Iain Stables - famous for live pranks landing him in hot water - will be back on air next month.

At least three aftershocks have hit Christchurch in quick succession this evening, the latest a magnitude 4 quake centred within 5km of Christchurch at a depth of 9km.

Homicide police were back at a central Auckland building site at first light today, digging deeper in their search for clues into the death of Auckland mother Carmen Thomas.

Four-year-old Samantha Hook was offered a fellowship in arthroplasty at North Shore Hospital. Shades of Doogie Howser?

The new Act MP replacing disgraced David Garrett in Parliament has no criminal skeletons in her closet, but revealed a brothel is run from one of her investment properties.

Businesses are concerned that the GST rise will dampen down already weak consumer confidence.