The search for people who may have been trapped in an Auckland drain has been called off.

A man has appeared in the Wellington District Court in relation to a homicide in a Newtown halfway house.

Police have charged a resident of a half-way house with assault after a body was discovered at the property.

Deaths come as Government prepares to consider extensive changes to our road rules.

A woman mauled by eight pig dogs yesterday has undergone nine hours of surgery after the attack left her covered in wounds.

A man whose neighbour was savaged by a pack of dogs says he does not know why the animals gave up their attack, but he is grateful they did.

A leaked Govt report reveals Victoria faces a fire season of "unprecedented danger" - even worse than the deadly fires in February.

A young Hamilton family escaped with just the clothes they wore as fire engulfed their home.