A Harvard-educated lawyer has been charged in the mysterious kidnapping case that police had initially accused a couple of staging.

Punishments meted out to two Indian Premier League franchises and two leading officials should not come as a surprise, says David Leggat.

Nasa scientists played The Final Countdown to mark historic mission - and there are more pictures to come.

New Zealand's home ownership rate is now the lowest it has been for 64 years, Statistics NZ says.

Zoe Kravitz claims she lost out on a small role in the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises because producers didn't want to cast anyone "urban" for the part.

Warner Bros is desperately looking for the next Emma Watson after putting out a casting call for a young actress to star in a Harry Potter spin-off.

A video capturing the moment a baby girl puts on her first pair of glasses is melting the hearts of the internet after being posted on Facebook by her mum.

The NZ dollar weakened as Greek agreement turned investor attention to US interest rate hikes, supporting greenback.

Isis has released new footage from its deadliest massacre, showing executions on an industrial scale at a military base.

Mortgage rates have dropped again. SBS Bank is offering a 4.85 per cent rate for an 18-month term - the lowest deal around.

As much as the next four tests are about bedding in combinations and building form, Conrad Smith says they are also about finding the desperation to make history.

Why is this 'bunny' on holiday with John Key? We reveal all in our weekly wrap of Kiwi celebs on Instagram.

The lower kiwi will benefit exporters such as Delegat which counts the US as its largest market.

New Zealand's humpback whale population has jumped to its highest level in 12 years, a new survey has found.

Danny Lee has earned more than $2m in a week after a top three finish today.

The dollar weakened as Eurozone leaders stepped up their demands for Greece reforms at meetings over the weekend.

Miley Cyrus and New Zealand-born model Stella Maxwell have seemingly confirmed their relationship via an Instagram post.

John Stamos has checked himself into rehab to be treated for substance abuse.

A lovelorn 29-year-old Harvard grad is crowdsourcing his soulmate search, offering $10,000 to anyone who introduces him to a woman he dates for more than six months.

New Zealand speed eating queen Nela Zisser will be taking on sushi after missing out on the top spots of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest in New York.

John Campbell's image is flying high, though in this employment market you would have to be careful about turning down too many options, writes John Drinnan.

There are warnings a fresh dumping of snow has increased the risk of another avalanche just days after a Turoa snow patroller was swept off his feet by one.

The dollar was little changed as risk sentiment improved following a bounce in Chinese equities and new Greece proposals.

An image of a homeless boy doing his homework by the light of a McDonald's restaurant has inspired thousands of internet users.

Auckland needs to squeeze in and up and move to having more suburban units and apartments to meet buyers' growing financial constraints and limitations.

Michael Douglas says Hollywood is in crisis as young American actors are too sensitive and asexual to play leading roles.

The mother of a 5-year-old autistic boy who was allegedly murdered at his Christchurch home has been charged with failing in her legal duty as a carer.

An American family have had a surprise package land in their backyard – a baby shark.

"The Australian dollar is among the worst performing major currencies," a BNZ currency strategist says.