A prison inmate was awaiting transfer to a high security prison at the time of a fatal attack on prison guard Jason Palmer, the Department of Corrections says.

A prison guard who wanted to spend his entire working life with inmates has been killed on duty after only six months in the job.

Department of Corrections bosses say staff safety is paramount following criticisms made in the wake of the death of slain prison officer Jason Palmer.

Police investigating the brutal sexual assault of a woman by four men in Tokoroa last weekend have not yet made any arrests.

Police are praising Hamilton Girls' High School's emergency procedures after a girl threatened other students with a knife late this morning.

Six-time world champion Sebastien Loeb continued his spectacular charge up the Rally New Zealand leaderboard today.

Paul Rush takes a blissful stroll around Hamilton Gardens' glorious Paradise Collection.

Susan Buckland indulges in some fine food and wine at a stunning sculpture garden near Taupo.

A married pharmacist faces a fine and could be struck off for sending inappropriate text messages to the three hairdressers.

A Chinese gymnast, now living in Huntly, has been stripped of an Olympic bronze medal for being too young during the Sydney 2000 Olympics.