The luxurious Helena Bay Lodge in Northland has been named the world's best new hotel.

A boy is in critical condition after being hit by a car in Whangarei this afternoon.

The Armed Offenders Squad cordoned off part of Raumanga, Whangarei, this morning in the hunt for a wanted 25-year-old.

What will the weather be doing on Sunday for Christmas?

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Police are warning holidaymakers not to walk alone in unknown areas following a 10-hour search to find a man who got lost on a walk. Sergeant

A former world number one tennis player has bought a prime chunk of Russell waterfront for almost $6 million.

Kauri dieback infection rates in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park have more than doubled in the past five years.

If variety is the spice of life, this week is set to be a lively one.

One person at the New Zealand Herald Boxing Day Races will win a share in a thoroughbred filly.

Police are making inquiries after bones were found on a Far North property.

You know you're in Northland when Santa arrives by waka ama with a United Tribes flag flying proudly from the back of his canoe.

A woman in red wearing a Santa hat may find herself on Santa's naughty list.

The man went for a walk around the rocks at Otamure Bay in Whananaki yesterday afternoon.

Police are coordinating a search and rescue mission for a missing man in Northland.

Armed response after neighbours raise concerns about distressed man.

Three men have appeared in court in relation to the largest seizure of illegally gathered mussels in Northland in over a decade. Ministry

A woman in her early twenties has drowned and two children have been rescued after getting into trouble in the water on Ninety Mile Beach.

The video features a host of Kiwi stars in beautiful Northland locations, from Rachel Hunter to Eliza McCartney.

A Northland man involved in an early morning incident where a firearm was pointed at police is now on the run and wanted. Warrants

A shop in Whangarei sold two winning Division One Lotto tickets of $166,667 in Saturday's draw as Northland's amazing run of Lotto

The Bay of Islands' biggest jewel is ideal for a classic Kiwi beach break, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Over 32,000 Far North homes and businesses were without power for most of yesterday, and police are investigating whether the outage was sabotage.

Power has been restored to the Far North after a major outage earlier today.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says a motorway from Auckland to Whangarei is on the cards.

Thousands of tourists arrived in the Bay of Islands this morning on the Celebrity Solstice cruise ship to be greeted by storm clouds and the power cut.

A major power cut that has closed schools and business across the Far North may be sabotage.

A Northland teacher has admitted she's an alcoholic, after incidents including two drink driving convictions, and testing positive

Fewer than half of councils have enough staff trained to respond to marine oil spills.

Parts of the North Island are expected to hit 30 degrees today, with Hawke's Bay getting the biggest dose of the sun's rays.