The town of Ashhurst, northeast of Palmerston North, is using its own currency as a way of stimulating discussion about the local economy. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Our intelligence agencies are so secretive that most of the stories we find out about are by accident.

Police are attending a serious crash where a car and truck collided near Palmerston North.

GNS Science says the probability of a big quake has increased following the Kaikoura earthquake.

The roar of motorcycles echoed through Woodville's streets as the 24th annual Lions Ride to Survive Coast 2 Coast once again joined the town's Christmas parade. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

The roar of motorcycles echoed through Woodville’s streets as the 24th annual Lions Ride to Survive Coast 2 Coast once again joined the town’s Christmas parade. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

15 year old Palmerston North girl, Sarah Ridsdale wins her first film award. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

15 year old Palmerston North girl, Sarah Ridsdale wins her first film award. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A search resumes for a man missing in the Manawatu River after a dog rescue went wrong.

The Commerce Commission brought charges against 11 real estate companies alleging they agreed on listing costs.

Emergency services are in attendance at an airfield in Manawatu.

Gunshots heard in Foxton last night could be potentially gang-related and may have left a man wounded, police say.

Cordons remain in place in Foxton this morning following reports of gunshots in the small Manawatu town last night.

Police will remain in Foxton overnight following reports of gunshots in the small Manawatu town.

The Waverley A&P Show has been going for 86 years. People come from around the region to experience what is one of the last old style farming events around.

Restoring highway access to Kaikoura will take months, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says.

Squally thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast to hit the North Island overnight, with a severe weather watch in place.

Motorsport fans rejoice, a new attraction at Feilding's Manfield Racetrack, gets you as close as possible to the world of a professional race car driver. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A house fire in Manawatu is being treated as suspicious.

Where young home buyers are snapping up properties revealed.

Welcome to the Hunterville Shemozzle, the race that really puts shepherds to the test-icle! Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Welcome to the Hunterville Shemozzle, the race that really puts shepherds to the test-icle! Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A heavily pregnant woman who went missing from Palmerston North Hospital has been found.

Christine Smith, who is 38 weeks pregnant, went missing from Palmerston North Hospital this afternoon.

The standard Kiwi home is earning more than the average worker makes from their job in seven of the country's 12 districts.

The annual race is encouraging high school students to take on engineering as a subject. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

The Woodville community is coming together for the sake of an old railway station under threat. And Kiwi Rail seems likely to agree. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

The skeletal remains of a person have been found in bush in the foothills of the Tararua Ranges.

A high school rugby coach has been warned by police for his behaviour during a rugby game which ended in a mass brawl involving students and adults alike.