Two women have been charged with the murder of Indian immigrant Amandeep Singh in Gisborne.

About eight hectares of forest has been burned by a blaze in rural Masterton, with crews still on site last night to keep the fire under control.

Court action may be the next step for kiwifruit growers following new research that showed the Psa strain that crippled the industry came from China.

Two women have appeared in Gisborne District Court charged jointly with assaulting Indian national Amandeep Singh - the subject of a homicide inquiry.

Justine Tyerman discovers a new form of torture at Morere, near Gisborne.

Friends of a man believed to have been murdered initially thought he had been kidnapped and say they had all been prepared to contribute to whatever ransom demand was made.

Police believe a man whose body was found in Gisborne may have gone to the Rhythm and Vines music festival before he went missing almost a month ago.

Rhythm and Vines festival organisers are happy a bit of rain isn't going to put off concert-goers.

The Rhythm & Vines crew will be working through the night to get the stage ready for 25,000 festival goers after a truck carrying audio equipment rolled off the road.

Police in Gisborne will be cracking down on pre-loading and drink driving over Rhythm and Vines that starts on Saturday.

Situated on a vineyard looking towards Young Nicks Head, the Rhythm and Vines music festival is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this month.

A Gisborne police constable accused of assaulting a motorist who refused to remain at a cordon has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

A police constable accused of beating and kicking a driver at a cordon denies any assault and says the complainant is anti-authority and overly-dramatic.