A colleague of two men who died when their helicopter plunged into the ocean off Northland hopes new standards will make fighting scrub fires safer.

Northern and central regions of the North Island can expect to be shrouded in fog with some areas not seeing daylight until lunchtime.

New Zealand firms turned optimistic about the state of the economy in the June quarter.

Rotorua's "luckiest" store is expecting big sales for tomorrow's $34 million Powerball jackpot.

Two large humpback whales put on a spectacular show for boaties and those watching from land as they played in Whangarei Harbour.

Once the fog clears, scattered showers will set in.

Taumarunui's Kevin Groves has admitted leaving his cattle to starve to death on his rural property.

A 30-year-old man was killed early on Saturday morning and police are saying little about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Northland farmer who lost hundreds of thousands in income is offering a $50,000 reward for evidence that leads to a conviction.

Police are seeking a man in relation to the country's biggest ever cocaine bust. The man may or may not know anything about the $14

Two people are being airlifted to hospital in a serious condition after their car went off the road and into a drain in Northland.

A search and rescue operation is underway for a woman missing in Northland.

A robber held two staff at a Hastings bar at knifepoint last night and then ordered them to drive him around.

Three people have been arrested after a South Auckland service station was raided this morning by a gang of 11 who smashed their way inside.

Some flights delayed as parts of the country again wake up to a frosty morning, with the lowest temperature dipping to - 6.5C.

One person has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition following a crash in the central North Island which left five others injured, too.

New Zealanders will have to wrap up warm again tonight as more icy temperatures are forecast.

A man has been arrested following the death of a 30-year-old in Tuai this morning.

Manawatu Police Area Commander Inspector Sarah Stewart thanked the local community after the ordeal.

North Islanders should rug up and turn their electric blankets on tonight as overnight lows drop by as much as 7C in some areas.

The Northland ringleader of the operation that produced the largest amount of methamphetamine ever cooked in New Zealand has pleaded guilty to a raft of charges.

Record rainfall in Auckland as downpours cause chaos across the city.

River, the puppy saved by a Bay primary school student last year, has settled in with her rescuer's family and grown into a lovable, large dog.

A Wellington man has today pleaded guilty to manslaughter following a person's death in 2009.

A Mount father says his family has been through a "weekend from hell" after his son suffered a serious neck injury in a secondary school rugby game.

Turangi residents have been fighting with their local power company for years, with the company alleging the group is fearmongering.

CAA safety investigator Dan Foley said the investigaion into Eric Hertz's crash was one of the most extensive and high-profile investigations carried out by the CAA.

Power outages and wild westerlies at the start of the week as a large low pressure system engulfs the north.