Extra beds will be allowed in treatment and family rooms from today at one of our major regional hospitals but it has been revealed some clinical leaders did not initially support the move.

A Hamilton dairy worker who was bashed on the head with a crowbar, pushed to the floor and then dragged several metres says he is nervous and scared to be back at work.

Mazda Demio owners are being warned to keep their "pint-sized pride and joy" locked and alarmed after dozens were stolen in Waikato in the past two months.

A brazen crime rampage has ripped through Hamilton after seven offenders stole cars and robbed shops threatening employees with a hammer and a crowbar.

EXCLUSIVE: Miles McKelvy ripped off $1.4 million from vulnerable home buyers. Now, he faces a second stint in prison after importing Fantasy into NZ.

Police believe David Thompson is in Hamilton and is known to have associates across Waikato.

A kitten found abandoned in Hamilton bush was born with no eyes, its new owners have discovered.

A man is in hospital after an accident on a moped in the Waikato this morning.

Police are appealing for any sightings of a Hamilton woman they say they hold "grave concerns'' for.

Waikato police have re-opened a Hamilton street after armed offenders squad members cordoned off a house.

A wheelchair-bound man managed to escape a high-speed Hamilton crash after his foot got stuck on the accelerator.

The Armed Offenders Squad has fired gas canisters in a suburban Hamilton street.

The expected roll-out of Ultra Fast Broadband in Morrinsville may be 18 months ahead of the original schedule - but it's not soon enough for local businesses. Made with funding from NZ On Air

The weather's going to be (finally) glorious for most of the country.

Residents are on the highest water alert level after one of its most important water mains ruptured when a large portion of the Waikato riverbank collapsed.

Police warn charges will be laid against those harbouring a wanted man.

A Huntly man stabbed his brother because he was too slow doing the laundry.

Most of the country can expect another warm, dry holiday weekend, but the West Coast is in for a wet one.

Name suppression has lapsed for the man charged with the manslaughter of a homeless Hamilton man.

Two teens lead police on an early morning pursuit across the Waikato.

Police, fire and ambulance are at the scene of a three-car crash near Hamilton Gardens.

An Australian lawyer is searching for Kiwi victims of serial paedophile Catholic priest Father Denis McAlinden. Alyce Johnson of

The Armed Offenders Squad swarmed a Hamilton street last night where a man had reportedly run off with a shotgun.

A group promoting conversation about sexuality and gender diversity say they were effectively forced out of a Christian music festival.

A fire at a house in Hamilton was started by a group of "drunk hooligans", according to the Fire Service.

Volunteers are pollinating Dactylanthus plants on Mt Pirongia 'paint brush-style' in the hope to repopulate the maunga with the indigenous plant. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

The search for a missing 21-year-old Hamilton man will continue this morning, after a friend lost sight of him in the Waikato River.

A Hamilton man is missing after a friend lost sight of him in the Waikato River early this morning.

A search is under way for a man seen getting into the Waikato River overnight.

Two teenagers were driving a stolen car when they sped past police officers and lost control, crashing into another driver just seconds after a chase began.