Revellers packed out bars and party-hot spots the length of the country last night to welcome in 2017. Fine weather in most of the

ENOUGH: Bay of Plenty District Health Board acting chief executive Pete Chandler said panic alarms will be installed in standalone

A person is seriously injured after an early morning crash in Mt Maunganui.

A weak cold front will bring cloud, drizzle and showers to the country over the next few days but should clear in time for New Year celebrations.

What will start out as a cloudy morning for most of the country should clear as the Christmas day wears on, but the odd shower is in store too.

Wet weather today will clear throughout the country making way for a mainly fine Christmas weekend.

Accessible Properties has signed a contract with the Government confirming it will acquire and manage 1140 state homes in Tauranga.

Traffic has already slowed to a crawl in parts of the country as holidaymakers head out of town for Christmas.

Recreational boaties not carrying or wearing life jackets may get on-the-spot $300 fines this summer. Director of Maritime New Zealand

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Kelly_Makiha_FEB16.eps A month-long sting in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato targeting drink-drivers caught 130 people over the limit. The

A man lay on rocks for three hours before he was rescued by helicopter with a serious leg injury.

If variety is the spice of life, this week is set to be a lively one.

An elderly woman who died in a car crash on Friday night has been named by police.

A man came close to drowning before being rescued by members of the public in what has been a dramatic day at the country's beaches.

Police said the crash happened on Anderley Ave in Omokoroa shortly before 7.30pm.

Leading local family law specialist Fiona Mackenzie was awarded a PhD in law from Otago University yesterday, three decades after

The paddle's original owner, Ngai Te Rangi chief Hori Ngatai (1832-1912) PHOTO/ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY141216sp02bop.JPG Alfred

More than $1800 has been raised for a Tauranga family of 10 who lost all their Christmas presents to thieves this week. The Filo

Paddle: 131216RK01BOP A paddle gifted by the renowned Maori chief Hori Ngatai to a young English army lieutenant 150 years ago is

HELPING HAND: Haeata Charitable Trust founder and friend Teisha Reihana is supporting the Filo family, who had all their Christmas

Ongare Point, just north of Katikati is home to a massive community effort to clean up the waterways. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Ongare Point, just north of Katikati is home to a massive community effort to clean up the waterways. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

The summer property season is in full swing in the Bay of Plenty.

BY Kiri GillespieA yacht has become stranded on a sandbank in Tauranga Harbour, near Pilot Bay. Photo/John Borren 121216jb04bop. A

Tauranga's Christmas in the Park event, which was postponed yesterday, has now been cancelled due to strong winds.

Paula Bennett is a handful of votes away from becoming New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister.

A Tauranga airline has been ordered to stop operating because of serious concerns for people's safety.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has declared his bid for Deputy Prime Minister.

Parts of the North Island are expected to hit 30 degrees today, with Hawke's Bay getting the biggest dose of the sun's rays.