What goes into the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup? More than you'd think. Rebecca Kammgoes behind the scenes with some of the busy key players charged with bringing it all together

A coastguard veteran suffered serious burns and a broken jaw in an explosion on his boat at the weekend.

New Zealanders who risked their lives to save others have been recognised at the New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards.

A runabout reported missing off the Coromandel coast may not have logged its return and was probably never in trouble, say police.

A rescue boat skipper made one of the toughest decisions of his life today as he tried to rescue two boaties from the boiling surf at Kawhia on the North Island's west coast.

Police say four people are lucky to be alive after two boats capsized on the Kawhia bar in Waikato today and are praising two local boaties and two commercial vessels for their quick rescue.

Areas of Auckland and beyond were yesterday inundated by floodwaters. Here is what happened in some of the worst affected areas.

A woman clung to the side of a cliff face for eight hours after becoming stranded in rising tides.

The diver missing for two days near Titahi Bay has been found - after walking into a police station in Hawke's Bay.

The search for a paua diver missing at Titahi Bay in Porirua resumed at first light today.

Police have named the paua diver missing in Titahi Bay in Porirua, who they believe may still be alive.

Police say a paua diver missing in Titahi Bay in Porirua may still be alive.

More than 40 people are searching for a diver missing near Titahi Bay, Porirua, since last night.

A distressed woman screamed into her cellphone for help as the six-metre boat she and her father were on capsized and sank.

Education not legislation is the answer to improve safety on the water, Maritime NZ safety inspector Jim Lilley says.