A discarded cigarette butt has been blamed for a blaze that wreaked $250,000 worth of damage to a shed, vehicles and equipment at a Masterton garden supply firm.

A drunk man who walked behind the counter at a McDonald's Restaurant in Masterton last week clutching a black-handled kitchen knife was convicted of possession of a knife in a public place at Masterton District Court yesterday.

A judge has prevented publication of whether the man accused of bashing volunteer firefighter Peter Fisher has been released on bail.

A man who fell several metres into the rough sea while fishing from rocks in Wairarapa today was rescued by a local fishing boat.

As summer fades into autumn and the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness, it's time for hay to be saved, harvests to be gathered and, best of all, have festivals to attend.

A man has been convicted of careless driving causing injury, despite the fact he wasn't driving the car that crashed, injuring him and his mother.

A prominent Northland businessman died from a heart attack while competing in the Wellington-to-Auckland Cycle Challenge.

Elisabeth Easther checks out the cheery Daffodil Capital.

Up to 30,000 spectators shattered crowd records at the biennial Wings Over Wairarapa airshow in Masterton at the weekend, say organisers.

Firefighters in Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa are on high alert as the regions brace for forecast strong winds and hot temperatures.

The horrific Boxing Day death of a 16-year-old boy from South Otago is the year's seventh quad bike fatality.

Rural landowners risk hefty bills for fires that take more than an hour to fight, Wairarapa principal rural fire officer Phil Wishnowsky has warned.

South Wairarapa District Council has voted to change its policy on shooting unwanted and dangerous dogs, opting for euthanasia by a vet instead.

The family of bashed Martinborough firefighter Peter Fisher are thrilled with the progress he is making in rehab and have been told medical staff aim to have him go home on January 7.

Carterton schoolgirl Grace Yeats successfully underwent brain surgery on Wednesday aiming to calm powerful spasms.