The Govt is proposing to end the right of a defendant to elect trial by jury for about 80 offences, including smacking a child.

Legislation introducing the change to a split drinking age will be one step closer after it is tabled in Parliament next week, Simon Power says.

The Govt will amend the 'claim of right' defence successfully used by the men who damaged equipment at the Waihopai spy base.

Groundbreaking cellphone technology has been launched in a bid to stop teenagers being harassed by text bullies. The new service allows cellphone users to blacklist up to 20 numbers.

A male police officer was allegedly bitten by a drunk woman as he took her to the police station, leaving him requiring medical attention.

A man who is now a marriage guidance counsellor threw his wife into a door frame, splitting her head open, then dragged her down the hall.

Alcohol has become so affordable that it is cheaper than bottled water and approaching the price of milk, says a study made public today.

It will be harder to get name suppression in court under changes announced today.

Self-employed people who would face financial hardship if they undertook jury service would still be able to be excused, the Ministry of Justice says.

Police are often stumped unless they manage to catch criminals in the act of stealing.

New Zealand law will be used in a hearing to decide custody of a 3-year-old boy taken to Turkey as a baby by his mother.