A police officer was repeatedly punched in the face in front of an offender's grandchildren during a stolen firearms raid this week.

How did thieves steal this 2-metre tall, 120kg sculpture from beside the Central Wellington police station without anyone noticing?

A home invasion at a rural Manawatu property turned violent when a woman couldn't comply with her attackers' demands this morning.

A Queenstown woman done for a $400,000 bank rip-off has admitted the offending - and using the money for a house, overseas trips and paying off debts.

The NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants brought disciplinary proceedings against a jailed and bankrupt finance company director - who is no longer a member.

A West Auckland man has pleaded guilty to the theft of $155,000 from a sports club.

Ratepayers are footing a larger than expected bill for a West Auckland artificial turf after the theft of $155,000 from a sports club.

A now-disbarred lawyer accused of helping a property developer borrow millions of dollars from a finance company cannot argue he was an innocent agent, says the Crown in its closing submissions.

Three men armed with a firearm and a knife robbed a Hamilton TAB last night, police say.

Thieves carried out a jewellery store smash-and-grab on the royal tour route just hours before yesterday's parade.

A 21-year-old Syrian man pushed an elderly woman to the ground and stole money he had seen her win from a pokies machine earlier that night, a court has heard.

A burglar nicknamed "Spiderman" for his acrobatic break-ins to the homes of Australia's super-rich cut his teeth robbing affluent New Zealand properties from a young age, police say.

An off-duty senior police officer who pursued a robber out of a Wellington jewellery store was forced to back off when she was confronted by a gun.

A woman who defrauded ACC of more than $200,000 has been sentenced to 11 months' home detention, the corporation says.

A retired US police officer has offered a reward for his memory card to be returned after his camera was stolen in Taupo.

A teenager who blamed legal highs for a mini crime spree was today jailed for six months so he could go cold turkey before starting a rehabilitation programme.

One of the victims of a 'highly trusted' farm manager jailed for stealing $335k of stock and farm items says he couldn't have acted alone.

Defence denies former mayor helped form a plan to solicit funds in contravention of Belgrave Finance's trust deed.

A former mayor and lawyer is accused of helping a property developer hide his identity so he could borrow millions from a failed finance company.

The Ashleys have five security cameras surrounding their home, an alarm, and dead bolts on the doors. But they've still been burgled four times in 18 months.

Sarah Lukins captured all of her baby's first milestones on camera but those images are gone after her car was broken into while she was at her grandmother's grave.

An outbreak of card skimming has hit Auckland, with a number of ASB customers having their cards copied and accessed from Britain.

"It's just so nice to have so many people be...well, just so nice." A couple who had their car stolen during the traumatic birth of their son are pleasantly surprised.