Wellington-based New Zealand American Association chairman Larry Keim is appalled by the shootings and says the United States' gun laws must be tightened up.

At least 14 people are dead and 17 injured after the shooting at a disability center in California.

A centre for the developmentally disabled had just hosted a children's Christmas party the day before the tragedy.

At least 12 people are dead and up to 20 injured after gunmen opened fire in California on Thursday. Here's what we know so far.

The City of Angels is speakeasy central, writes Shandelle Battersby.

After almost two years in Los Angeles, Gin Wigmore has tips for visitors seeking a special spot in her adopted city.

Shandelle Battersby dreams a California dream in the front row at the Dolby Theatre.

It is the first time California officials have imposed fines on communities that have failed to meet conservation goals imposed because of the state's crippling four-year drought.

The legacy of a former newspaper magnate lives on at San Simeon, writes Shandelle Battersby.

A friendly year-round climate makes Santa Monica a hit with locals as well as tourists, writes Tess Nichol.

It's always the perfect time to catch a wave or linger on the sidewalk in this city.

To mark 60 years, Disneyland has conjured up spectacular parades and fireworks, writes Peter Mitchell.

Winston Aldworth checks out the differences between two great theme parks.

Anaheim has a serious beer scene brewing. By the end of the year, the Orange County city will be home to more than a dozen breweries.

In Orange County, Shandelle Battersby swaps fast food for fresh, sophisticated cuisine.

Late night revellers may think nothing of relieving themselves in public and now some walls are fighting back against the disgusting habit.

Top Gun suddenly feels real for Shandelle Battersby onboard an aircraft carrier in San Diego.

People have embraced the taste of almond products. The question now is whether they can stomach higher costs.

Shandelle Battersby discovers an unusual local delicacy on the drinks menus of the storied Californian island.

Farmers with rights to California water dating back more than a century face sharp cutbacks, the first reduction in their water use since 1977.

Megan Singleton uncovers five of the best places to eat in LA, from chic celebrity hot spots to gourmet burgers and $1 tacos.

A New Zealand storm has been blamed for monster waves smashing California today.

Desalination projects are gaining resonance as drought-proof hydration solutions in parched California.

In LA, where residents use an average of 265 litres of water a day, an academic study found that the most affluent neighbourhoods used up to three times more than others.

It takes a gallon (3.785 litres) of water to produce an almond, and almond growers use about 10 per cent of California's water supply every year.

California is faced with a double whammy of high temperatures and low rainfall exacerbated by an atmospheric pattern that for three years straight has diverted winter storms away.

Megan Singleton suggests a string of California adventures to try.

Many electronic and miscellaneous objects are never fully turned "off," and thus consume power all the time.