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

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

A double-murderer who has spent 22 years in prison for killing an elderly couple for a thrill has again had parole denied. Gresham

Police name quad biker killed in Port Waikato crash.

Paula Bennett says her appointment as Minister for Women shows the Government is taking women's rights seriously.

Kauri dieback infection rates in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park have more than doubled in the past five years.

Cattle have died after a truck rolled, closing part of State Highway 23, Waikato.

If variety is the spice of life, this week is set to be a lively one.

Kay Billman suffers from debilitating back pain but doctors say she doesn't qualify for surgery.

A man came close to drowning before being rescued by members of the public in what has been a dramatic day at the country's beaches.

Helicopter crews used night-vision goggles to rescue a man who had a car crash in Waihi.

The harbourmaster who was stood down from his job for rescuing an orca trapped in a cray pot this week says he would do it again if he had to.

Parents will soon know more about the relationship between babies sleep and learning. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Parents will soon know more about the relationship between babies sleep and learning. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A man obsessed by fire tried to burn down a classroom while on bail for assaulting a 91-year-old woman.

A new mascot for Waitomo has been unveiled. Sam the Moa sits on the side of State Highway 37 in Hangatiki. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A new mascot for Waitomo has been unveiled. Sam the Moa sits on the side of State Highway 37 in Hangatiki. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A Matamata pedestrian has had a miraculous escape from serious injury after being hit by a truck this morning.

Retailers in Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Te Kauwhata and Raglan could soon be allowed to open their doors on Easter Sunday under a proposed policy.

Waikato towns are on the list but businesses are sick of waiting for ultra-fast broadband. And some have even taken matters into their own hands. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Waikato towns are on the list but businesses are sick of waiting for ultra-fast broadband. And some have even taken matters into their own hands. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

The woman was a passenger in a Toyota Hilux that smashed through a barrier and fell 70m, landing on its wheels in a paddock.

The family of a Hamilton man who drowned in the Waikato River, as his dog sat at the edge, have left the city as memories of his death remain raw.

Parts of Waikato are having to restrict how much water they use due to the hotter weather. Hamilton, Waipa and Waikato district are

Waikato police are investigating the robbery of a set of car keys and cellphone from two girls in a Ngaruawahia street.

The passengers of a ute had a lucky escape when their ute tumbled 70 metres down a tricky stretch of road south of Coromandel Town last night.

A man and woman who lost their way spent a chilly night on Mt Ruapehu before being rescued this morning "cold and hungry".

A young boy suffered a potentially serious head injury when his motorcycle crashed into a tree in rural Waikato tonight.

The mother of a Hamilton primary school student believes the school and other authorities have tried to brush the incident under the carpet, reports say.

Man had to be cut from the wreckage of one of the vehicles and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital after the crash about 1.50pm yesterday.