Cannabis plants with a street value of more than $14.6 million have been netted in the Bay in this year's cannabis and crime operation.

Witness says driver beeped horn and tried to stop.

The man has still not been found, but police do not believe he poses a threat to the wider public.

A firefighter has been injured dealing with a blaze at a state house in Lower Hutt last night.

Women have felt scared walking past "degrading and senseless" jokes on blackboard outside Hastings bar.

WATCH: Auckland Zoo giraffe Zuri is on a road trip to Wellington Zoo. We update her 12-hour journey down the North Island.

Wanganui Cancer Society was shocked when the owner said he wanted to donate it to auction off and raise money to help people in their community.

Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson is disappointed the reporter referred to the town as "rotting" and has offered to show her around.

Waikato police are refusing to comment on why they cordoned off a rural school the morning after a quiz night.

Research into how ash clouds from a large volcanic eruption under Lake Taupo would affect the country could help with managing the disaster if it occurs.

There is a big road trip ahead for a giraffe travelling down the North Island today.

The Government will soon release a national policy statement that will require some councils to relax restrictions on where houses can be built.

Residents of a seaside suburb are unhappy a children's playground is going ahead, saying it will attract undesirables leaving needles and condoms.

A Wanganui Cancer Society volunteer has shocked the organisation by offering up his beloved classic car for auction in a bid to raise funds for them.

A 19-year-old whose car went head-on into a power pole in Waikato early this morning, is now in a stable condition.

Two young men have been charged over an assault in which a police dog handler was knocked unconscious.

Two people have been injured, one seriously, after a two car crash in Pukekohe this evening.

MetService is warning of more rain, squalls, strong winds, "a nasty band of thunderstorms" and even coastal tornadoes today.

A boat has sunk in Coromandel Harbour causing a small amount of diesel to leak into the sea.

Two vehicles collided just before 12.40pm today on State Highway 31, Tihiroa, north of Otorohanga.

Thunderstorms, gale force winds and heavy rain are on the way for this afternoon.

A developer has backtracked on its plans to move a beachside carpark.

Two Levin schools have closed today because of a confirmed case of measles.

Police unsure how long body in Wellington flat lay undiscovered.

Eleven automatic weapons - including submachine guns and assault rifles - stolen from the gun safe.

Graham Hartley's dog mauled his six-year-old grandson but judge decided he had suffered enough.

A shed being used as a sleepout was damaged by fire in one of two suspicious blazes overnight.

Fleeing gang members hurled onions and a glass chopping board at police during a high-speed pursuit through the Waikato.

A vehicle on State Highway 1 north of Taihape appeared to have gone over a bank and caught fire last night.