The latest Chinese bid for the Crafar dairy farms is a key test for new rules on foreign ownership, reports Karyn Scherer

People living near rivers and streams in the Tasman District should be prepared for a rapid rise in water levels overnight, with heavier falls forecast to continue, Civil Defence says.

Hamilton police are helping with an investigation into an Australian murder-suicide spree that left two Kiwis dead.

After more than 10 hours of deliberation the jury in the trial of a former national figure accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl has still not been able to reach verdicts.

More than 1000 infringements were recorded by police during a blitz on drink driving over Easter at the top of the South Island.

An injured 30-year-old tramper has been flown to Nelson hospital after her husband tramped out of the Kahurangi National Park to get help.

Nelson police are appealing for information after a man on crutches was repeatedly stabbed outside a police station.

A Nelson father critically injured his 37-year-old son when he shot him at close range at a family home in Tapawera before turning the gun on himself, police say.

A Nelson surfer suffered a deep puncture wound to his hand while wrestling a 2m shark during the weekend.