A large group of about 30 armed offenders squad members are reported to have gathered near the Waihi hospital.

Allan Galbraith, an ex-detective who played a key role in cracking the Rainbow Warrior case, and his wife were deeply moved by the help they received following a serious crash.

A two-year-old run over by a van in Flaxmere yesterday remains in a serious but stable condition.

A man suffering from severe hypothermia has been rescued off the Northland coast after his yacht foundered on rocks and started sinking.

Napier residents jumped at the opportunity of a free feed yesterday after hundreds of dead fish spewed into the marina when a fisherman lost his day's catch.

A major blaze which came within metres of destroying a home, forced the evacuation of at least a dozen Northland properties, and closed a state highway for several hours.

Four people were arrested at Christmas in the Park in Auckland last night.

Corrections is investigating claims against inmates giving sexual favors and a Correction's employee handing over $14k a month for marijuana.

Simply by raising the idea of commemorating the wars annually, at least one New Zealander - me - studied up on what the wars were about, Heather writes.

Auckland is on the brink of "explosion" in red-eared slider turtles. A pest regarded as one of the world's 100 most-invasive species.

Auckland Airport is giving away $120,000 to Kiwi charities as part of its 12 Days of Christmas initiative.

Police have warned the road where the crash occurred will be closed until later this evening and that there may be "some delays".

Police are praising motorists in Wellington and South Auckland after a drink-driving sting nabbed only a small number of people over the limit.

A handful of topless people have gathered in Auckland's Aotea Square in a statement against "gender inequality".

Police are at the scene where a woman may have been assaulted.

Residents living in Waihopai Valley, where a forest fire is raging, have been warned; if there is a change in weather they may have to evacuate their homes.

A KiwiRail train driver has been stood down from duties after a near miss with a child at Levin Railway Station.

Crowds of young athletes aged from 7 to 15 descended on Mountford Park in Manurewa yesterday to swim, cycle and run in the first of 16 Weet-Bix Kids Tryathlon events across the country this summer.

Police investigating the fatal stabbing of Nathan Pukeroa in Mt Albert last Thursday have searched a house near the scene of the attack.

Two Hamilton Zoo staff confronted by a tiger who had just mauled their colleague have been recognised for their quick-thinking actions which stopped the tiger escaping its enclosure. Zoo keepers Sarah Jones and Monique Alexander were first to the enclosure of Oz the adult male tiger who had fatally attacked curator Samantha Kudeweh on September 20.

Two Hamilton Zoo staff confronted by a tiger who had just mauled their colleague have been recognised for their quick-thinking actions.

Quinton Paul Winders pleaded not guilty to charge of murdering George Taiaroa in 2013.

Waipa District Council has helped stretch the Waikato patrolled lifeguard season after contributing $10,000 to the service after Hamilton City Council pulled all of its funding.

Auckland is embarking on a massive regeneration project that aims to transform many of its suburban centres.

Police are yet to find the weapon that was used in the fatal stabbing of 24-year-old Nathan Pukeroa in Mt Albert last week.

Man accused of stabbing the woman to death in Wellington is in custody awaiting a mental health assessment.