Latest fromThames-Coromandel District

Deadly day: Two people die in pre-Christmas roading tragedies
Two people have died on our roads today.

Man arrested after driving van into Winz office
The building had been placed in lockdown just before the man drove the van into it.

Wild weather: Timaru evacuation alert issued; SH1 closed, peak flooding expected at 7pm
A local state of emergency has been declared in Timaru following ongoing heavy rainfall.

Tens of thousands of dollars spent on briefing this term's councillors
Five Waikato councils whisk councillors away to retreats to brush up on council business.

Mercury rising: Celestial event thrills stargazers
One hundred stargazers watch the Transit of Mercury from historic Coromandel location.

One dead, one airlifted to hospital after boat accident in Onemana
Two people were found near Pokohino Beach after a boating accident.

Fire crews battling large blaze in Thames timber yard
Crews from seven fire stations across the region have rushed to fight the fire.

Rugby: NZ Heartland XV lose to Vanua XV in second clash
Errors and penalties in slippery conditions prove costly in rematch with home side.

Video shows motorist playing cat and mouse with police
Video shows motorist playing cat and mouse with police.

Firefighters continue to fight growing blaze in Coromandel
Rain expected to hit area around dawn tomorrow, which might help dull the fire.

North Otago too strong in Meads Cup
Home town side reverses round robin defeat to lift Heartland rugby's ultimate prize.

Sister's 'raw' pain at brother lost at sea 40 years ago
Genevieve Cameron's brother disappeared with 4 friends in a boat off Whangamata in 1979.

Justified self-defence: Cop shot 21 times at driver trying to run him over
Driver was shot at after repeatedly trying to run officer down.

Rugby: Meads and Lochore Cup finalists found in Heartland Championship
North Otago and Wanganui will battle for the ultimate prize of the Meads Cup.

Highway remains closed after wild weather
The region was pounded by constant heavy rain yesterday

Wild weather: Schools closed, roads flooded
Heavy rain warnings remain in parts of the North Island, but it will ease to showers.

Inquest opens into fatal police shooting
Man covered his body in mud, pointed gun at cars and said he wanted to be shot by police.

Rugby: Both Heartland Championship table leaders upset in penultimate round
Top four completely rearranged again in one of the most competitive seasons in 14 years.

Young mum's organs donated after devastating car crash
Brylee Currie, 20, died when her car rolled on SH26 near Paeroa on Friday night.

Rugby: Top sides win inter-island games in sixth round of Heartland Championship
South Canterbury and West Coast hold off low-ranked home sides to keep top spots

Father who drowned in Tairua River: 'A dad that every kid could wish for'
Steven Jongmans says his father was his idol and will always be kept in his heart.

Rugby: Heartland Championship's week five sees teams upset across board
Only one team gets a victory over a side who was ranked below them on the points table.

Teen who showed classmates mosque shooting video discharged without conviction
The teen also had a copy of the accused gunman's manifesto.

Heartland rugby: Week 4 sees big changes on points ladder
Robbie Smith the hero for North Otago with fulltime penalty kick maintaining unbeaten tag

Flooding closes Coromandel, Waikato roads - what's in store today
Sunny conditions are expected in most parts of the country today.

Another heavy rain warning for Auckland after Coromandel flooding
Heavy rain expected in the upper North Island, while the South Island basks in the sun.

Extensive flooding closes Coromandel roads
The region was hammered with hard rain last night.

No break from heavy rain and thunderstorms in the North
There is a heavy rain watch is in force for Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

Heartland comeback thrillers by unbeaten West Coast and North Otago
Teams welcome back their NZ Heartland XV players for games going right down to the wire.