Follow the rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners as it unfolds with nzherald's Latest Updates.

After 69 long days trapped in a collapsed mine hundreds of metres underground, 33 miners are being winched to safety one by one.

Mario Sepulveda has reached the surface, becoming the second of the 33 trapped Chilean miners to do so. There was clapping and cheering as he was met by his wife Elvira.

Florencio Avalos, the first of 33 miners to be rescued, has surfaced after 69 days underground. He stepped out of a rescue capsule amid sobs from his young son and received a bracing bear hug from Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

The rescue of the trapped Chilean miners may come sooner than expected - forecasts now put it happening from midday today (NZT).

Monitoring gear developed in New Zealand is being used to help doctors assess the vital signs of the miners trapped in the Chilean mine.

The family of slain Auckland mother Carmen Thomas could wait days to hear how she died and for her remains to be returned.

Police searching for the body of murdered Auckland woman Carmen Thomas are making an announcement about the case this evening.

A NZ man who lost a ring 40 years ago in a US lake has had news that his treasured possession has been found.

The body of a missing 25-year-old swimmer was discovered in Wellington's Oriental Bay today.

The rescue of thousands of flood victims in Pakistan can be a precarious business.