A Northland 10-year-old has smashed national and club records after hauling in a striped marlin five times his body weight.

The police have started an inquiry into the "wider issues" exposed by the downward spiral of a corrupt cop who stole drugs for the woman he was sleeping with.

Prime Minister John Key and Government ministers have been welcomed on to Te Tii Marae without incident.

Labour leader Andrew Little has said John Key is lying about when he first knew of allegations concerning former MP Mike Sabin.

Labour Leader Andrew Little says it is just not credible that the Prime Minister did not know about allegations concerning National MP Mike Sabin until late last year.

Labour Leader Andrew Little says he alerted the Prime Minister's office about allegations concerning Mike Sabin in late November.

The PM is facing increasing questions about his handling of the Mike Sabin affair after the Northland MP's resignation a month after reports he was being investigated by police.

A man was rescued off the Northland coast overnight after a yacht struck rocks and sank.

A Northland couple had a dramatic start to married life after the groom had to be brought back to life minutes before exchanging vows with his beloved.

As hot, dry weather threatens to create a drought, farmers are preparing for the worst.

Family and friends of a young Chinese man who drowned in Northland on Christmas Day are campaigning for bilingual warning signs about deadly coastal rips.

Two teenage cousins tried everything in their power to rescue a woman who drowned at a Northland beach, with one getting caught in a rip himself.

A 54-year-old woman has drowned at a Northland beach after being caught in a rip while boogie boarding.

A caravan has rolled over and crashed on a motorway today.

A Hamilton man who was electrocuted at a Northland camping ground yesterday was an incredible young man, who had time for anyone, a friend says.

The manager of a Paihia backpackers lodge where two American guests were attacked says the town is still a safe place to visit.

An Auckland boy who was killed in a go-karting crash at the weekend has been remembered as an energetic and lively boy who had "joy in his eye".

A Russian billionaire's workers are helping Maori plan a new Northland meeting house after a devastating fire.

The battle of the berms is back - this time in Northland, where two residents are refusing to mow a berm 'the size of a council reserve' outside their homes.

A shortage of sheep north of Auckland has placed Kaikohe's shearing competition under pressure - but organisers are confident they can make it click.

Family and friends have farewelled a 16-year-old boy who was swept out to sea at Ninety Mile Beach on December 27, remembering him as their 'miracle boy'.

An 11-year-old boy who died after being caught in a rip at a Northland beach yesterday has been named.

Rescuers were unable to resuscitate an 11-year-old boy after two children were caught in a rip at Waipu River mouth.

A report of a light plane crash at a Northland beach was a false alarm.

Police in Northland are due to speak to the driver of a small truck seen carrying a horse on the back of its cab on the open road in Kaitaia.

A 25-year-old Auckland man drowned at Uretiti Beach, near Ruakaka in Northland yesterday, while setting a crab pot.