Both the holiday road toll and last year's entire toll are the worst they've been in years.

Bay of Islands the place to be for summer sun today

As most Kiwis were partying to see the new year in, others were being born.

Two young boys and a teenager are in a critical condition after a collision between a car and a campervan on Morrinsville-Tahuna Rd in Waikato.

A spectacular fireworks display off Auckland's Sky Tower and parties around the country herald the start of a new year.

Police are continuing their search along the river bank of the Waikato River with a focus on the camp site confirmed as belonging

Missing yachtie likely to be sailing his tiny catamaran to Australia, where he has disappeared with his 6-year-old daughter Que previously, according to an expert.

Tama Retimana, whose body was found floating in the Waikato River two days after Christmas, was a father-of-two and had a partner.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman armed with a knife robbed a store.

A person suffered head injuries after coming off their bike on a mountain biking track in the central North Island today.

Water sampling has failed to reveal what killed hundreds of crayfish in Waikato.

The inhabitants of a house that caught fire today escaped without injury.

Workmate applies tourniquet to man's injured hand.

A weak cold front will bring cloud, drizzle and showers to the country over the next few days but should clear in time for New Year celebrations.

The community is rallying to help the family of the little girl who was run over in Te Kauwhata on Boxing Day.

One person has died and another two been badly injured in separate crashes as holiday traffic queues across the North Island.

Alan Langdon, 49, and his daughter, Que, 6, haven't been seen or heard from since they sailed from Kawhia Harbour 11 days ago.

A kayaker out for an evening paddle found a body in the Waikato River this evening.

The disappearance of a father and daughter who set sail in a small catamaran 10 days ago is "very upsetting" for the family's local community.

Police are concerned for the welfare of a 49-year-old man and his daughter who left Kawhia Harbour on a catamaran nine days ago and haven't been seen since.

A 2-year-old girl has died after being hit by a car in a driveway in Te Kauwhata, Waikato.

A woman was playing in the hot pools at De Bretts Hot Springs near Taupo when she collapsed.

Don't let the morning cloud fool you - it is set to be a fine Boxing Day for New Zealanders, with Central Otago tipped as the best place to be.

What will start out as a cloudy morning for most of the country should clear as the Christmas day wears on, but the odd shower is in store too.

The pair met on the netball court - although she doesn't remember.

The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

Wet weather today will clear throughout the country making way for a mainly fine Christmas weekend.

A farmer accused of growing cannabis told the High Court a scrap metal dealer he called ''Santa Claus'' was responsible for some of the unexplained money he had.

Two more people have been charged in separate cases of alleged mistreatment of bobby calves.

Parents take a win with free early childhood education, but Hamilton centres out of pocket. Made with funding from NZ On Air.