Finance Minister Bill English has admitted Australia's economic growth is outstripping New Zealand's and says that in the long term the Government is determined to turn that around.

A CYF supervisor says an oversight meant a parental assessment was not carried out for a baby boy who was returned to his parents and allegedly drowned by his mother.

David Tamihere's Parole Board has requested a report on his suitability for "residential restrictions", for his release.

Two Takapuna Grammar students have been stood down after a fight, allegedly fuelled by racist taunts, which was videoed and sent around school.

A man was shot in the face and 24 arrests made after a violent gang brawl in the Hawke's Bay town of Wairoa this morning.

Alllied Nationwide Finance had a debenture reinvestment rate of 29.3pc in May.