The young woman swept to her death when floodgates opened on Waikato River was a young Aucklander with an infectious smile that could "cheer anyone up".

Thousands of fans turned out for New Zealand's first floating music festival at Great Lake Taupo yesterday, with the free event reaching capacity by midday.

Police have named a young woman who died when she was swept down the Waikato River yesterday.

Drowning a tragedy but dam flood to remain open as an attraction, says Taupo mayor.

Mercury Energy is reviewing its procedures to see if there is a way of improving safety after a woman was swept to her death on the Waikato River.

Two people riding a motorcycle were injured in a crash this afternoon in southern Waikato.

Police and Search and Rescue personnel are at the scene where one person is missing after being swept down the Waikato River north of Taupo.

Returning holiday makers should brace themselves for delays as the state highways are packed.

A man is in hospital after an accident on a moped in the Waikato this morning.

The sun has come out to play and is here to stay, with a scorcher of a long weekend across the country.

A 28-year-old man wanted by police in relation to a shooting last Sunday has been found in Hamilton.

A Whakatane father and his two sons are currently competing in the New Zealand Superbike Championships. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Waikato police have re-opened a Hamilton street after armed offenders squad members cordoned off a house.

A wheelchair-bound man managed to escape a high-speed Hamilton crash after his foot got stuck on the accelerator.

The Armed Offenders Squad has fired gas canisters in a suburban Hamilton street.

The expected roll-out of Ultra Fast Broadband in Morrinsville may be 18 months ahead of the original schedule - but it's not soon enough for local businesses. Made with funding from NZ On Air

The weather's going to be (finally) glorious for most of the country.

A Huntly man stabbed his brother because he was too slow doing the laundry.

Two teens lead police on an early morning pursuit across the Waikato.

Top researchers team up with police, drawing on analytical skills to detect, prevent and disrupt unlawful acts.

Troubled schools: A school where teachers were allegedly given "illegal" payments is one of nine under Government control.

A man is in a critical condition after a boating accident in the Coromandel.

A fire at a house in Hamilton was started by a group of "drunk hooligans", according to the Fire Service.

Through international fame and fortune, Chris Liddell has remained loyal to New Zealand business and causes.

Manager of council holiday park resigns after allegations of misconduct. New details emerge

Holiday traffic is set to build from 9am as Aucklanders make a break for the regions.

Volunteers are pollinating Dactylanthus plants on Mt Pirongia 'paint brush-style' in the hope to repopulate the maunga with the indigenous plant. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Volunteers are pollinating Dactylanthus plants on Mt Pirongia ‘paint brush-style’ in the hope of repopulating the maunga with the indigenous plant. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Police would like to speak to two young men who stopped to assist as they were driving past the house and saw flames.

With two consecutive long weekends approaching for some Kiwis, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is urging travellers to plan their journeys.