Dr Suresh Vatsyayann was asked to withdraw comments made in an email and apologise to the Waikato board and management, but refused.

The sentencing of two companies and a company director over a fatal coolstore explosion in the Waikato has given firefighters closure.

Big fines and reparation bills have been given to two companies and a company director charged over last year's fatal Waikato coolstore fire.

A robber pointed his rifle at a bank customer before ordering a dozen people to the floor in what police say was an aggressive hold-up.

A 35-year-old mother-of-three woken by a loud bang found an alleged drink driver slurring his words after crashing into her daughter's bedroom.