Two cars and a Hobbiton tour bus crashed in Matamata this afternoon, injuring four people.

Waihi police investigating the break-in at the town's Mobil service station, the fourth business to be targeted in Eastern Waikato over the past two days.

Two aggravated robberies which occurred within minutes of each other in the Waikato are not linked, police say.

An elderly Opotiki man remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital after crashing his campervan near Matamata yesterday.

Fire crews are dealing with a truck fire on State Highway 29, south of Matamata this morning.

The victim of a violent home invasion in Matamata yesterday is now recovering at home, while police have recovered the vehicle used by the attackers.

They came out of Africa and into Matamata, and brought some exotic friends with them - including Bassoon the American bison and Mr and Mrs Ostrich.

A father and his three children spent a night in the bush after getting lost overnight while tramping near Matamata.

The racing community is grieving after death of a passionate racing enthusiast who died when the car she was driving hit a horse last night.

The 'H's: Hobbit holes, horses and heartfelt hospitality, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Police are amazed a head-on collision between two trucks - one carrying hazardous materials - didn't end up being a lot more serious.

A truck that rolled onto its side after hitting a bridge has blocked State Highway 29 near Matamata in both directions.

Motorists are being told to expect delays around Matamata this morning after a heavy truck and trailer rolled in the early hours of this morning.

Danielle Wright follows the tour buses to a sheep and beef farm in Matamata for the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour.

While you're in the 'hood check out some other finds.

The pair accused of bashing and abducting a man before stealing his car in the Kaimai Range - an event linked to the death of a Tauranga teen - will remain behind bars.

Just hours before being fatally struck by a car on a dark highway, 18-year-old Jovaan Graham was urged by her cousin to stay with her in Rotorua.

The teenager who was found dead outside a Waikato hospital died instantly when she was hit by a car in the Kaimai Range, according to a post-mortem.

A man and a woman allegedly stole a car, abducted a man who accidentally ran over their female companion in the middle of the night and then dumped her body.

Two people have appeared in court over events that preceded the discovery of a body in Matamata today.

Pamela Wade finds a farm turned into a fantasy setting.

Standing in front of a round green door, set into a cheery hillside, I half expect to see Gandalf the Grey and Bilbo Baggins wandering up the footpath.