A 67-year-old man who fell from his rearing horse has been flown to hospital with a suspected spinal injury.

John Funnell was the search-and-rescue pilot who has saved the lives of thousands of victims, clocking up a staggering 19,000 hours of flight time.

A Wellington skier is critically injured after an accident on Mt Ruapehu which Peter Hillary witnessed from a chairlift before rushing to assist with the rescue.

A 20-year-old woman has suffered suspected spinal injuries after her car went off the road near Taupo according to a Greenlea Rescue

HARD-WORKING AND GENEROUS: Taupo couple Ian and Mary Smith, who died last Friday, are being remembered for making a significant contribution

Taupo mayor David Trewavas has been returned to the top job with over a 5500 vote margin at the progress stage.

Legendary Kiwi pilot John Funnell opens up on his 50-year career flying search and rescue helicopters in a new book.

Steam plumes have been seen above Mt Ruapehu this morning, as the crater lake heats up close to its natural peak, GNS Science says.

A timber house on Raurimu Rd in the Central North Island settlement has burned to the ground.

A 46-year-old Tokoroa woman has died after being hit by a truck and trailer unit while walking along State Highway 1 at Kinleith in

Campaigners against plea bargaining will march to parliament today to deliver what they call the "Moko petition", which has received thousands of signatures.

High school students among the 80 trapped for two days on Mt Ruapehu are having a great time playing in the snow, says Tukino Ski Field manager.

Big wind chill brings an icy edge to the start of the day.

An appeal against the sentences given to two people who killed Moko Rangitoheriri will be held in November. David Haerewa and Tania

A building has been hit by a landslide on Milford Sound Highway.

GeoNet reports rapid rise in temperature in the mountain's crater lake as well as more shakes than usual.

A pig hunter who called emergency services after falling down a bank has been rescued.

A truck crash near Taupo is partially blocking the road.

Emergency services were called to a street in the centre of Taupo after reports of an explosion.

State marketing agency Tourism New Zealand could do more to promote Mt Ruapehu's ski areas in international markets, says chief executive

A truck has caught fire on State Highway 1, 10km north of Turangi.

An Australian father and son have been rescued off Mt Tongariro after taking a wrong turn. A statement from police said the 49-year-old

Sometimes you just throw a bag in the boot, reverse down the driveway. Nothin' more than a couple of hundred clicks of open road ahead. Ewan McDonald did.

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Taupo 8.27am.

A former teacher found guilty of physically assaulting a student has been banned from the profession over concerns he could strike again.

A young man who deliberately crashed into a series of Taupo power poles, cutting the supply to 630 homes, was upset that his partner was moving overseas, a court has heard.

A French woman is lucky to be alive after she narrowly avoided sliding down a cliff in icy conditions on the Central Plateau.

A truck is on fire south of Taupo causing State Highway 1 to close.

It looks like a winter wonderland - unless you're a farmer who has lost stock and fences, say Hawke's Bay locals struggling after the area's worst snow storm in more than half a century.