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.

Justine Tyerman learns the finer points of wine tasting at a trio of Gisborne vineyards.

As the Gisborne music festival celebrates its 10th anniversary police say Rhythm & Vines has been relatively successful, despite thefts threatening to mar the event.

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.

Air New Zealand is under fire for its decision to scratch 16 flights a week in and out of Gisborne from December 1.

A two-day traffic blitz has caught 100 heavy vehicles speeding - and 98 of them were logging trucks.