A Northland police officer has been hit over the head with his own baton after being called out to deal with a drunken fight.

A pensioner has been blackmailed out of most of his life savings by a serial conman who threatened to spread rumours the two men were sexually involved.

Amidst the joy, celebration and festivities of Christmas and the New Year period lies the hidden horror of the holiday season, as the rates of domestic violence, alcohol abuse and road fatalities increase.

Waitemata police are praising the actions of a nine-year-old Devonport girl raising money to help a victim of horrific child abuse.

Staff at the Auckland City Mission have been rushed off their feet and will be cooking Christmas dinner for more than 2000 people tomorrow.

Former All Blacks star Doug Howlett was arrested by Irish police on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly at his Christmas party night out with his Munster teammates.

A nine-year-old with horrific injuries never wants to see her parents again, a court has heard.

Spain has become the latest country to pass an anti-smoking law for its eateries.

The family who adopted Trooper - the puppy that was rescued after being found outside the Gate Pa shops, in Tauranga, with its ears chopped off - say he is settling in to his new home very well.

A couple accused of torturing their nine-year-old daughter appeared briefly in court this morning.

The mother of a girl, 5, found dead in her bed after an alleged assault was trying to escape violence in her life.

New claims emerged last night that the nine-year-old girl allegedly tortured by her parents was also sexually abused while in Child Youth and Family care.

Eden Park Trust is hoping the first large crowd at the stadium since the Four Nations rugby league debacle last month will be well-behaved.

A field hospital has been set up in the heart of London's financial district to treat blind-drunk corporate revellers.

NZ's broadcasting watchdog has upheld complaints about 3News showing sex scenes from Outrageous Fortune.

It is with huge regret and disgust that once more, New Zealanders wake up to find 'caregivers' accused on brutally assaulting their children.