Texting and driving played no part in the tragic death of Tracey O'Brien, despite her death prompting warnings not to use a phone while behind the wheel.

Students at Te Kuiti High School, where former student Ocean Heke attended, were visibly shaken this morning.

WATCH: Robert Russell was sheltering from the rain in the family hay shed when he heard sparks and electricity - and saw the shed had been struck by lightning.

The post read: "If you see a pack of young Maori/Polynesian males, be prepared to sprint."

A 17-year-old girl who died as a result of a motor vehicle incident on Otorohanga's main street was found lying on the grass outside a house where a party had been.

Police have confirmed the stabbing took place in the South Auckland suburb at about 1am. Authorities are expected to release more information today.

A turf war has broken out at a much-loved Kiwi surf break over a camera broadcasting surf conditions.

A motorcyclist nabbed doing 132km/h on a rural stretch of road and found to have been drinking has led to another stern reminder from police to drive responsibly.

Police are shocked with the actions of a motorcyclist who sped through a stretch of road that only hours before had claimed the life of a man in a horror truck crash.

A Tauranga mother is furious after a bus driver drove off and left her teenage son and a friend stranded after he was sick on the bus.

Northland police are searching an area of isolated bush looking for the body of a missing gang member.

Black smoke caused by fault in Marsden Point Oil Refinery is allowed under Refining NZ's resource consent.

School says ban will stay until there is certainty around new Health and Safety at Work Act comes into force.

Three vessels came to grief in bar crossings during Easter - leading a regional authority to warn that crossing bars is the most dangerous activity.

AMAZING PHOTOS: Boat engulfed and flipped over at the Coromandel's Tairua Bar.

A man who tried to steal chicken from behind the counter at a Hamilton KFC led police on a car and foot chase.

Morning cloud and a few showers will greet most of the country this morning, but the rain is expected to clear later this afternoon.

A North Island farmer is on the mend after being flung more than 3m into the air by a rampaging steer.

Women in fear as man takes to following them through wood.

Construction firms desperate for tradies.

Miriyana Alexander checks out a luxury lodge that's luring celebs to New Zealand.

A 50-year-old-man has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after being stung by bees north of Auckland.

New Plymouth's Pukekura Park is rocking again to diverse sounds from across the globe as the annual WOMAD music festival kicks off in Taranaki.

Police are searching for a man who was believed to be holed up in a house after a serious assault.

Prolific peeping Tom caught crawling into the roof of Burger King restaurant to watch women on the toilet.

Why you should always use a professional when moving furniture.

"There is a steady increase of women being abducted, tied up, put in the boot of cars, taken away to the bush or the beach, or their partners having utensils to bury them."

A Napier man sustained a head wound during a violent home invasion this morning. He was tied up and beaten while his home was ransacked.