A former television stuntwoman, whom rescuers spent 25 minutes reviving after a near-drowning on New Year's Day, has died after she was sent home from hospital.

The Fire Service is increasingly being sent to emergencies when an ambulance has been requested, statistics show.

A bus driver has been injured during a collision between two buses in central Wellington.

Victoria has declared a Code Red fire warning in the Wimmera region today, ahead of an expected scorcher.

A 22-year-old man has been arrested after a police officer was injured when she was dragged under a stolen patrol car last night.

Firefighters battled a blaze at a massage parlour in central Auckland this afternoon.

Fire crews are still dampening down hotspots after a bush fire destroyed one house and forced the evacuation of several others in Roxburgh overnight.

Meet Auckland's only civilian dog search combination - Bridget Martin and Zinzan.

Dozens of drunk drivers, many with sober passengers, were caught by police near a popular campground despite warnings and a highly visible booze bus.

A woman is dead after a crash north of Queenstown this afternoon, taking the holiday road toll to six.

More fireworks than Guy Fawkes, and plenty of Chinese lanterns, kept Bay of Plenty firefighters hugely busy last night.