A prominent Hawke's Bay barrister has admitted crashing into a vehicle driven by Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar.

Hawke's Bay police have turned to Facebook to battle boy racers after a series of fatal crashes in the region.

Most of the North Island could be declared a drought zone by the end of the week, but Prime Minister John Key says the impact on the Government's books remains to be seen.

Five years have passed since his daughter went missing, and life has only got harder for Joe Tumanako and his family.

A woman who complained about the public tributes left for a boy killed when hit by a vehicle two years ago says they should be removed because she does not like having to see them every day.

A new business operating at the entrance to Taradale Shopping Centre on Gloucester St has upset some locals because it is a funeral home.

Droughts have been declared in South Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay regions, a week after drought was declared in Northland.

Hawke's Bay's water operators are checking the region's supplies for contamination of Cryptosporidium.

Barry Gibb paid tribute to his two brothers Robin and Maurice in an emotional show that brought magic to Mission Estate, Roger Moroney writes.

A series of earthquakes have hit the Hawkes Bay overnight.

Police have made an urgent appeal about racing cars linked to a crash which killed a Napier teen only hours before she would have started a hairdressing course.

A 34-year-old Hastings man has died while diving at a remote beach in central Hawke's Bay.

A drunk off-duty police constable who attacked another woman when she was accused of snorting drugs during a night out has been convicted of assault and fined.

A total fire ban throughout Hawke's Bay may have scuttled one of the traditional Geon Art Deco Weekend attractions - the steam train.

A 16-year-old has suffered spinal injuries after falling off trail bike whilst performing jumps at a Hawkes Bay farm.