Police used a taser on a 46-year-old man who was inflicting injuries on himself at a Coromandel Peninsula settlement today.

A man has drowned after a bank gave way and his car rolled into a canal near Thames.

Hundreds of students gathered to farewell their 16-year-old mate "Webby", who died after binge-drinking vodka at the weekend.

John Key says the public will have to wait for a discussion paper to be released to find out what conservation land may be mined and how.

Helen van Berkel tackles the Pinnacles walk and discovers astounding scenery - when she works up the courage to open her eyes.

Visitors to the Coromandel say a $40 fine for freedom campers will do little to deter those who choose to doss down in beach carparks.

A 19-year-old man rear-ended a taxi before colliding with two other cars on Saturday night.

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.

A statue of Sir Keith Park - the New Zealander who led the RAF during the Battle of Britain - has been unveiled in London.

A formal health warning has been issued at Thames and Coromandel beaches after a dog poisoning confirmed that sea slug toxins had spread.

The right to camp out by the beach and sleep to the sound of the surf is being banned in one of the North Island's top holiday spots.

George Williams, 94, was first across Coromandel Peninsula's Kopu Bridge in 1928 and was on hand to help launch its replacement.

Coromandel residents will join John Key today to celebrate the start of the construction of a $47m Kopu Bridge replacement.