It's one of the most stunning walks in the world, so you can't expect to park right outside the very beginning of the track on a busy weekend. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Squally thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast to hit the North Island overnight, with a severe weather watch in place.

It was a wild day of weather for the upper North Island yesterday, but what will today bring?

The Labour weekend road toll stands at two today, after a woman critically injured in a Paekakariki crash died in hospital.

A full investigation has been launched into a Tongariro Crossing "debacle" in which two students could have died.

Police call school group errors on treacherous mountain a "debacle", where leader didn't even know students were missing.

Two people have been arrested but one remains at large after an armed stand-off with police in Taupo today.

A 67-year-old man who fell from his rearing horse has been flown to hospital with a suspected spinal injury.

A Taharoa teenager killed after the quad bike she was on crashed, also seriously injuring her passenger, was a safe driver, locals say.

The death of cricket umpire Peter Plumley-Walker in a bondage session gone wrong in 1989 may be the subject of a documentary.

HARD-WORKING AND GENEROUS: Taupo couple Ian and Mary Smith, who died last Friday, are being remembered for making a significant contribution

Not just a winter destination; there's plenty to do in Taupo all year round. Here's our pick of some the best.

Source: YouTube: 100% Pure New Zealand. Master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell shares the story behind New Zealand's remarkable Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings.

Taupo mayor David Trewavas has been returned to the top job with over a 5500 vote margin at the progress stage.

Breath-taking thrills and spills and awe-inspiring sights are on offer in the tourist mecca, writes Morgan Tait.

The body of corporate boxer Neville Knight, who died in the ring at a charity boxing match, has been taken home while colleagues still come to terms with his death.

Watch: The caterpillar, the robot and the running man ... this police officer from Taupo has all the moves.

Whether to accommodate out-of-towners or for residents struggling to find a house to put over their heads, the need for houses is strong in Taupo.

A truck crash near Taupo is partially blocking the road.

All 15,000 tickets for next year's Taupo Summer Concert have sold out in record time. It's part of the nationwide Summer Concert

Emergency services were called to a street in the centre of Taupo after reports of an explosion.

An Australian father and son have been rescued off Mt Tongariro after taking a wrong turn. A statement from police said the 49-year-old

Sometimes you just throw a bag in the boot, reverse down the driveway. Nothin' more than a couple of hundred clicks of open road ahead. Ewan McDonald did.

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Taupo 8.27am.

A young man who deliberately crashed into a series of Taupo power poles, cutting the supply to 630 homes, was upset that his partner was moving overseas, a court has heard.

A French woman is lucky to be alive after she narrowly avoided sliding down a cliff in icy conditions on the Central Plateau.

A truck is on fire south of Taupo causing State Highway 1 to close.

It looks like a winter wonderland - unless you're a farmer who has lost stock and fences, say Hawke's Bay locals struggling after the area's worst snow storm in more than half a century.

A 21-year-old Hamilton man charged with criminal nuisance after crashing into a power pole in Taupo will be back in court next week.