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.

An international team of scientists have found an odd and slightly gross explanation for sticky, glowworm-made "fishing lines" that hang in the famous Waitomo Caves - urine.

Environmental Protection Authority report finds a number of incidents on the West Coast including one where someone removed signs when baits were still toxic.

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.

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.

Three weeks on from a theft, where six puppies were stolen, SPCA Turangi has had no word on the fate of the young animals.

At least 10 people have been hurt, one critically and three seriously, after five serious crashes on Waikato and Bay of Plenty roads today.

Kākā numbers are on the rise, looking for food around houses and farms. But these curious birds will eat anything, including lead which makes a sweet change from totara berries. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Parts of the North Island are expected to hit 30 degrees today, with Hawke's Bay getting the biggest dose of the sun's rays.

At least two more schools have been investigated after complaints about seclusion rooms - including one that was eventually closed.

COMMENT: The launch of the Hauraki Gulf's first marine spatial plan is a major achievement and not to be under-estimated, writes Gary Taylor.

Proposed new marine protected areas, rules for polluters and changes to commercial fishing methods have been revealed in a long-awaited master plan for the Hauraki Gulf.

Hamilton is celebrating disabilities today, and it's inspirational. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Hamilton is celebrating disabilities today, and it's inspirational. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Speeding motorcyclist killed fellow rider when he cut a blind corner, court told.

Emergency department doctors are calling for a ban on National Crate Day after Waikato Hospital was inundated with drunk patients after Saturday's celebrations.

A Hamilton man whose body was discovered in the Waikato River on Sunday morning has been named.

A man was sentenced today after an incident last year when he doused his victims in petrol and threatened to set them on fire.

A person is in a serious condition after a car crashed into a pole in Cambridge this morning.