A blaze which "totalled" a block at Auckland's Glendowie Primary School is being investigated as an arson.

Much of an Auckland primary school was in ruins last night after an intense blaze which created a vast plume of smoke visible from many parts of the city.

A drunk Auckland high school pupil was taken to hospital after falling over and knocking his head in a physical education class.

Three people have been rescued at an east Auckland beach.

Some of NZ's first national standards-based student reports have been issued by a Hamilton school amid concerns from its principal.