The Algerian man once branded a security risk to NZ looks forward to socialising with customers at his new fast food caravan.

Police have widened their search for Whanganui woman Marice McGregor to the Manawatu after evidence her cellphone was switched on in the region a day after she vanished.

The family of a woman missing for 12 days say they are going through a "slow living nightmare" as police admit something untoward may have happened to her.

Police investigating the disappearance of a Whanganui woman 12 days ago are seriously concerned "something untoward" has happened to her and are appealing for sightings of a green van.

A soldier and new father died in a road crash outside the Linton Army Camp yesterday - the fourth military death in two days.

A fire that razed a Manawatu home overnight was "no accident" police say, amid reports a molotov cocktail sparked the blaze.

A Manuwatu river rafting company has been ordered to pay $300,000 in fines after the 2007 drowning of an employee.

A television programme about the life of convicted double-murderer Mark Lundy is set to go ahead.

Party's MPs join chorus of condemnation at the permanent name suppression given to a Manawatu man who downloaded more than 300,000 pornographic images, many of them picturing children.

Shark sightings around the country have forced beach closures more than 12 times this summer.