A diving course came to a tragic end after two people failed to surface and a third was hospitalised.

Families of the 29 victims of last year's Pike River mine disaster will seek answers on how their loved ones died when the Royal Commission into one of the country's worst disasters opens in Greymouth tomorrow.

The last time police were looking for Brett Hall, they discovered a drug-dealing empire.

Up to 80 personnel are searching rough country for missing man Brett Hall.

The mother and son of a missing Palmerston North man have made an emotional plea for information on his whereabouts amid rising suspicion his disappearance is the result of a homicide.

Searchers have begun their sixth day of looking for Palmerston North man Brett Hall who has not been seen for more than a week.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion found a fishing boat with engine failure before it drifted onto reefs near Tonga overnight.