Cyclone Yasi is building as a storm of unprecedented ferocity - the likes of which hasn't been seen since 1918 - and already it is lashing the Queensland coast.

Get out now. Don't bother to pack your bags. Just gather your family and leave. That's the grave directive Premier Anna Bligh has made to people in low-lying parts of north Queensland under direct threat from monster Cyclone Yasi.

'The most serious cyclone you can have' is how Queensland Premier Anna Bligh is describing the storm set to ravage the state tonight. The storm has been upgraded to a Category Five cyclone - the most severe level imaginable.

Nine people were injured when a balcony collapsed at a holiday home in Omaha, north of Auckland, late last night. The victims were taken to Auckland City and North Shore hospitals with injuries believed to range from cuts and bruises to

As the floodwaters left in the devastating trail of Cyclone Wilma subsided yesterday, so the tales of heroism and helping emerged. New Zealanders - many facing clear-ups of their own - came together to help those affected worse than

A man has been hospitalised with burns and cuts after a caravan was deliberately set alight in Ashburton last night.

A decorated soldier's family have spoken of their grief at his death in a crash that broke every rule.

The Big Day Out is well stocked with plasters and paracetamol as St John staff prepare for 40,000 revellers.

John Key has defended police in the wake of a damning report and a much criticised decision to end recovery efforts at Pike River Coal mine.

A report into police culture change is too narrowly focused and could be counter-productive, the Police Association says.

Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope has announced he will retire from the Police in April, when his five-year term as Deputy Commissioner: Operations ends.

An 11-year-old boy received serious burns after petrol from a lawnmower exploded in the sleepout where he and a teenager were sleeping.

One of NZ's oldest department stores escaped extensive damage when a sprinkler system activated and put out a fire which could have destroyed the building.

Thick smoke from a fire in one of Auckland's biggest department stores poured out on to Queen St late last night, shutting major city streets.