Prime Minister John Key defends the government over Labour's claim of a housing crisis in New Zealand.

Two women who have been found dead at a home in the Auckland suburb of Ranui are thought to be mother and daughter. Detective Inspector Greg Cramer said it appeared the pair had been stabbed this morning but a post-mortem examination would be held in the next few days. A male occupant from the house was helping with inquiries and police were not seeking anyone else over the deaths. Police said the 55-year-old man, who was known to the victims, made a 111 call to police, and was at the scene when police arrived.

A serious crash near Auckland International Airport has caused major traffic delays during the Monday rush hour this morning. A car and a truck and trailer unit were involved in a crash on Puhinui Road in Manukau which has left one person trapped.

The last remaining 55 of world's rarest species of dolphins could disappear within three decades if New Zealand doesn't act now, wildlife advocates say. The Last 55 campaign will call on the Government to extend full ban on set-netting and trawling to an area between Maunganui Bluff to the Whanganui River mouth, and extending 100 metres out from the coast.

Residents of Pt. Chevalier, Auckland captured what they believe to be a UFO. Courtesy Emma Alexander

The Highlanders first-five drove the first nail through the coffin of the Hurricanes' 2014 Super Rugby campaign with an impressive kicking display in Wellington last night.

Prime Minister John Key inspected the progress of the tunnel at the Waterview Connection.

Finance minister Bill English today put answers to the questions that were asked after his Budget 2014 announcement.

Carrie Fisher says returning to "Star Wars" after more than three decades is "trippy." The original Princess Leia can't say much about starring in director J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: Episode VII" except that she's lost 35 pounds for the role.

Bill English has delivered an election year Budget which includes a bigger than forecast surplus, free doctors' visits for 400,000 more children, big cuts to ACC levies and dangles the prospect of tax cuts in front of voters. Finance Minister Mr English said the Government's much vaunted return to surplus would be $372 million, still slender but well ahead of the wafer thin $86 million forecast six months ago thanks to a rosier economic outlook.

Herald economics editor Brian Fallow gives his thoughts on today's Budget

A group of Mt Maunganui artists have combined their skills to create 3D sand drawings on the beach. The three artists work hectically at low tide on their artwork only to have the tide come in and wash it away.

The World Champion All Blacks sevens returned home to NZ with the trophy and their eyes set next on Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold.

Ep:28. Alex de Jong and Miles Davis take an irreverent look at the Premier League…the world’s most exciting, glamorous and action-packed football competition! Whether it occurs on or off the pitch, the team at Premier League BackPass is committed to bringing you all the action and most of the gossip, not that long after it happens! Goals! Scandals! Skills! Giveaways! Italians! From glorious action to shameless stupidity, discover the best, and worst the Premier League has to offer, and find out just what makes it the finest competition, in the greatest game on earth…

On November 1st the World Champion All Blacks will play the USA Eagles on Soldier field in Chicago, en-route to Europe for the northern tour. Skipper Richie McCaw, coach Steve Hansen, along with stars Ma'a Nonu and Dan Carter give their thoughts on the importance of the match.

3rd degree reporter Sam Hayes on entering gangland. Footage courtesy of TV3.

Two Cook Strait ferry captains have been stood down amid allegations of three serious incidents on the Interislander crossing. In an incident on Sunday, when the Arahura was leaving Wellington, the pilot on the nearby cruise ship Dawn Princess told the Arahura skipper to take a certain bearing but the skipper turned in the opposite direction and nearly hit a third ship, the Citrus Express.

A new study by researchers at NASA and the University of California, Irvine, finds a rapidly melting section of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet appears to be in an irreversible state of decline, with nothing to stop the glaciers in this area from melting into the sea.

In the run up to the election, Otago University politics lecturer Dr Bryce Edwards is hosting a series of live interviews on political issues. Minister for Immigration Michael Woodhouse is in the studio today for the Vote Chat.

Fire crews are raced to control a large blaze at a warehouse in Auckland. At least nine fire trucks were at the scene or on their way to the fire on Walls Rd in Penrose, an industrial suburb in central Auckland. “We have a single-story building, 20 by 30 metres, well ablaze. We’ve got six trucks there and three more coming,” fire service spokesman Colin Underdown said. By just after 8pm firefighters had already called a “third alarm” on the blaze, meaning back-up had been called twice.

Vodafone Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell has apologised and will also be fined and sanctioned over a social media post which led to an investigation being launched by the club on Monday. Hurrell will be fined $5000 over the release of a sex tape with Shortland Street actress Teuila Blakely. The tape was made public briefly on social media.

A film about life, death & supermarkets... Sheffield, 1988, 'The Day That Never Happened'. Following a disastrous farewell show in their hometown, PULP move to London in search of success. They find fame on the world stage in the 1990's with anthems including 'Common People' and 'Disco 2000'. 25 years (and 10 million album sales) later, they return to Sheffield for their last UK concert: what could go wrong?

Domhnall Gleeson plays a young wannabe musician, Jon, who joins an avant-garde pop band led by the titular character (played by Michael Fassbender). Jon finds Frank's methods more bizarre and enigmatic as time goes on, and he struggles to contend with a musical genius.

First official clip from 20,000 Days on Earth, a new film featuring Nick Cave and directed by Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2014, picking up awards for best directing and editing, where the jury described it as "documentary storytelling at its most visionary and mind blowing". Courtesy 20000DaysOnEarth/YouTube

Rugby players are known for being some of the toughest athletes in the world. So, to test their limits, Owen Farrell, Jamie Robers and George North endured one of the craziest and most challenging training sessions of their life. Put up against an aerobatic helicopter, a nascar, an Alpha Jet, and beautiful women.

The widow of Dutch-born painter Walter Bakkenes has donated over 250 of his works to the Rotorua Museum. Mr Bakkenes was regarded as an emerging talent in Europe and moved to Rotorua after the chaos of World War II where he continued to paint until his death in the 1980's.

Alex de Jong and Miles Davis take an irreverent look at the Premier League…the world’s most exciting, glamorous and action-packed football competition! Whether it occurs on or off the pitch, the team at Premier League BackPass is committed to bringing you all the action and most of the gossip, not that long after it happens! Goals! Scandals! Skills! Giveaways! Italians! From glorious action to shameless stupidity, discover the best, and worst the Premier League has to offer, and find out just what makes it the finest competition, in the greatest game on earth…

Meet Mr Poo - the cartoon star of Unicef’s public health campaign in India, hoping to encourage children to use the toilet. Courtesy UNICEF India/YouTube

The transgender community in India tell motorists to put their seatbelts on in a new safety campaign. Courtesy Ryan Mendonca/YouTube.

Prime Minister John Key was forced to defend his Government during Question Time in Parliament as the opposition parties rallied to attack National on the performances of Judith Collins and Maurice Williamson.