Chinese authorities are to travel to NZ to gather evidence on the murder of a taxi driver in Auckland.

Police have named the prisoner found dead at Waikeria Prison in Waikato and say ill health may have contributed to his death.

Police are investigating the death of a prisoner at Waikeria Prison near Te Awamutu last night.

David Bain has spoken out about his dire financial situation, telling the New Idea magazine: "I'm having to do everything from nothing. I've had to do a catch-up of 15 years. I've had no income.

Police paid criminal narks nearly $2 million in the past five years.

Radical changes to the legal aid system will put an end to taxpayers paying defence lawyers up to $900,000 a year.

A tribunal should take over responsibility for decisions on the detention and status of mentally ill offenders, the Law Commission says.

Five Star Finance directors Nicholas Kirk and Marcus MacDonald have both been sent to jail for more than two years. They are believed to be the first directors of collapsed finance companies to go to jail.

A businessman who manipulated the company payroll to give himself a $10,000 payrise, has been sentenced to 200 hours' community work.

The killer of four-year-old James Whakaruru has been released from prison, despite multiple Parole Board reports claiming he remains violent and dangerous.

A woman who was injured and lost her friend after a drink driver crashed into their picnic says she is still suffering from emotional trauma.

American student Amanda Knox, in an Italian prison for murder, has launched an appeal against her conviction.