Police have a word of advice for the thousands preparing for New Year's Eve celebrations.

Dave Cade is pushing hard to keep didymo - or rock snot - out of Taupo waterways.

The owner of a seaside stall that locals accuse of spoiling pristine Cathedral Cove says tourists are relieved to see him at the end of a long, hot walk.

Residents and holidaymakers are appalled by a DoC-approved icecream stall operating at Coromandel's Cathedral Cove.

More than 120 whales died over 48 hours in two separate beachings, the Department of Conservation says.

Well the weather outside is certainly not looking frightful this Christmas with NZ's Christmas Day forecast looking more and more positive for most people.

It's officially summer. And, after a winter of discontent - and recessionary blues - it's time to warm up. Here are 25 ideas for making the most of Auckland this summer.

Eight families who say they need help to look after their disabled children have been left waiting almost a year for a decision by the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

The MetService says Aucklanders can expect more than 50mm of rain in the next six hours, or 100mm in the next 24 hours.

Rocket Lab's Atea-1 rocket reached over 100km into the air and spent up to 20 minutes in the sky.

Some conservation land in the Coromandel could be used for mining, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

Renowned as a musician, cartoonist and reviewer, Chris Knox suffered a stroke earlier in the year.