An Auckland man charged by the Serious Fraud Office of trying to bribe an Auckland Council employee has been found not guilty.

People leaving Auckland for Christmas face the usual commuter delays this afternoon, while those heading out of Wellington should allow extra time.

A former manager of a Waikato school has admitted defrauding it of nearly $800,000.

A 22-year-old man killed in a head-on crash in Te Awamutu was in breach of his learner's licence, police say.

A drunk driver whose keys were confiscated this morning after he was caught four times over the legal limit was stopped again just an hour and a half later.

As Santa heads to Auckland soon, here's wishing he stops off in Sweden and picks up 40,000 "affordable" Boklok homes from Ikea, writes Brian Rudman.

Last year Alofa Glas, Jason Goodall and their extended whanau organised a free lunch at Pukekohe's Lone Star for 100 guests.

Boutique theatre company's opening Kiwi musical Daffodils is to be made into a movie

The Te Ara Rangatu o te Iwi o Ngati Te Ata Waiohua Inc Society will receive $10,000 from Auckland Airport's 12 Days of Christmas campaign this year.

Bernard Hickey: This has been a big year for the NZ economy, ranging from an extended slump for the dairy payout to a big boom for tourism and Auckland house prices.

The boy who fell through the skylight of a school in Palmerston North on Friday night is in a stable condition in hospital.

The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Inc is working to give as many kids as possible the chance to learn about animals in their natural habitats

Friends of a 12-year-old almost killed when he fell through a skylight on a Palmerston North school roof were "distraught as hell" when police arrived.

Children taken away after police raid house suspected of being a gang lab.

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.

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

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.

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

A car was mangled beyond all recognition after it was wedged beneath a truck in a horrific central Taupo crash, claiming three lives.

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.

In a raging property market, it's possible to have a million-dollar home and no cash, writes Joanna Mathers.

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.