In a year when the national road toll fell dramatically, the carnage on Waikato roads actually increased. James Ihaka recounts the lives lost and the search for reasons why.

Young Muna Taunga had little to say. "My mum's a hero," said the small girl. And then the story came out.

Passers-by and eyewitnesses supported the weight of a teetering tourist bus.

Parents of a baby critically injured when his car seat came loose during a crash, says they checked he was buckled up.