The beach wedding between Mr Hide and former squash player Louise Crome will be a double celebration for Mr Hide, who turned 54 on Thursday, and a joyful way to end the year after political upheavals in his party.

A proposal to put the iconic New Chums Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula into public ownership through a private-public deal is being considered by the Department of Conservation.

A plan to put one of the country's most pristine beaches back in public hands has been presented to the Government.

Cate Foster is ready to wear the crown of river queen as she takes a leisurely ferry cruise.

Deep water fishing is firing at the moment, with large numbers of kingfish over deep pinnacles and reefs in the Hauraki Gulf.

Wilderland, an alternative community on the Coromandel Peninsula, has been ordered to evacuate and demolish all its dwellings.

Two people were hurt when a light plane crashed into a sewage pond at the end of a runway at Thames Aerodrome this morning.

In her latest novel, Fay Weldon has channelled her childhood experiences in New Zealand and some mischievous Maori ghosts. She spoke to Stephen Jewell.

The host of US TV show The Amazing Race is joining the campaign to save a pristine Coromandel beach from development.

Alistair Bailey of Whitianga enjoyed some well-prepared bread from Mr Burns at Glastonbury in the UK.