The Ice Water Challenge, where participants are doused with a bucket of ice cold water, is potentially fatal - even without alcohol, a doctor warns.

TVNZ presenter Greg Boyed, who is filling in on Breakfast this week, secretly married glamorous Swiss singer songwriter Caroline Chevin in an intimate ceremony in her homeland.

A woman who was ordered to leave an Auckland swimming pool complex at the weekend says she will complain to the Race Relations Commissioner.

Hours stuck on our car-clogged city motorways could be just a memory by 2030, says a visiting Stanford University energy expert.

Scientists now believe the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis could be used to reduce tumour growth in cancer patients. But, they say, don't self medicate.

The Crawley family may enjoy eating lavish banquets, but it seems their downstairs staff aren’t going without either.

Ouch. Argentine football great Maradona says awarding Lionel Messi the World Cup's golden ball was just a marketing ploy.

The schoolboy rugby sensation dubbed "the Tongan Thor" says he will move to Australia and chase the gold jersey if he does not get the chance to play for New Zealand.

When Lilly McDonald first heard about an online group offering stuff for nothing, she didn't believe it.

Older people in New Zealand are happy with their health. About 60 per cent in an extensive survey of the very old told researchers their health was good, very good or excellent.

An Auckland school will have a zone for the first time after a remarkable turnaround in its results and reputation.

Jake Miller was head prefect of his school with a $40,000 scholarship to study law waiting for him.

Leaving the country in the hands of deputy Bill English, Prime Minister John Key took a holiday "selfie", posted on Instagram yesterday by son Max.

Giving up alcohol for a month is pointless for people's health, says a leading liver expert.

A 28-year-old mother swept to her death in a flood-swollen Bay of Islands river screamed for five minutes as she clung to a fence but the raging waters pulled her under.

French cosmetics giant L'Oréal has cut its ties with a Belgian football fan after pictures of her on a big game hunting trip sparked outrage online.

Delaney Mes plans a menu of French delights.

Tired of war analogies in sport? It's a minefield but allow me to come out of the trenches, pull the pin and give you both barrels.

Alan Perrott talks to the men who keep guard at Auckland’s hottest nightclubs and bars and finds out it’s not just physical danger they have to contend with.

Elizabeth Marvelly, a classical cross-over artist at 17, explains why she's become Lizzie, a singer and writer of pop songs

The closest to sex advice I've ever had is "don't trust the French". Thanks Dad.

That was the only thing going through my mind as I heartbreakingly read - no, scraped - through JK Rowling's latest look into the life of Harry Potter.

Herald football writer Steven Holloway and his father Bruce, two-time NZ football writer of the year, argue over whether the 2014 World Cup is the best edition ever

A Belgium World Cup fan who won a modelling contact with L'Oreal after being spotted cheering in the crowd has been revealed as a big fan of game hunting.

Love him or hate him, Muldoon was definitely a memorable NZ politician - and this Monday is the 30th anniversary of the '84 snap election.

Here's the second teaser trailer for the forthcoming Hunger Games sequel, Mockingjay Part 1. Set in the same white room as the first clip, the second speech from President Snow (Donald Sutherland), is delivered flanked by Panem's Peacekeepers. He's joined by Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), the love interest of Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss, and District 7 champion Johanna (Jena Malone). President Snow's broadcast is interrupted by a message from District 13's hacker Beetee (Jeffrey Wright): "The Mockingjay lives." Courtesy: Universal

Grace Eriksen, 18, is in her first year of university and reaping the rewards of three years of saving.