Police say the Napier-Taupo highway will stay closed until all of the abandoned cars have been removed.

Two major highways may re-open this afternoon after unseasonal heavy snow in the last two days stranded motorists for two nights.

Motorists who spent a freezing night in their snow-trapped cars on the Napier-Taupo Highway are rescued.

A Hawkes Bay judge has been criticised for telling a woman wearing a headscarf to leave his courtroom.

Wairoa College student died while trying to rescue his prized and expensive basketball from river.