A home invasion at a rural Manawatu property turned violent when a woman couldn't comply with her attackers' demands this morning.

One child remains in hospital after two young children were pulled from a burning car in a Palmerston North supermarket carpark today.

A 20-year-old man who died in a fiery road accident had managed to turn his life around and become a caring young father, a youth worker says.

A 51-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, both from Levin, were killed in a fiery three-vehicle crash, police have confirmed.

The number of people killed in a fiery crash in Manawatu early today is still unclear due to the destruction of the wreckage.

The controversial Lundy Three Hundy car rally will go ahead this weekend despite fears of protests, its organiser says.

Vehicle Inspection New Zealand has said the death of one of its workers was a tragic and unfortunate accident.

A man has died after being crushed by a vehicle at a Palmerston North vehicle testing facility this afternoon.

A man has been taken to hospital in serious condition after a truck crash in Manawatu.

A series of crashes involving trucks has kept emergency services busy around the North Island today.

Abuse and Rape Crisis Support Manawatu is reducing its counselling hours after government funding cuts.

The Manawatu Gorge has reopened to all traffic again after being plagued by a series of slips. - but a small rockfall means it may have to briefly shut again.

Eruption activity has subsided but another eruption could occur at any time with little or no warning, according to Civil Defence. Read the latest.