Minor damage was reported in Masterton and near Otaki after a 5.4-magnitude earthquake this afternoon.

A desperate mother is begging for help to punish her 11-year-old son, who has admitted ransacking graves and starting a fire in a $300,000 spree of destruction with a mate.

Two boys embarked on a weekend vandalism spree, ransacking a cemetery and destroying property - but are likely to escape with a warning.

Rain or shine, Castlepoint has plenty to offer, finds Jacqui Madelin.

A Masterton woman, who caused the death of an elderly dial-a-driver while she was three times over the legal blood alcohol limit, has escaped jail.