Tropical cyclone Bune, which is heading for Raoul Island, about 1100km northeast of New Zealand, weakened slightly this afternoon to a strong category 2. It may cause dangerous rips and surf along the east coast next week.

A $200 bottle of Martinborough pinot noir was crowned the finest at a tasting in California, ahead of renowned wines from around the world.

When this variety is doing its job well it can transport you to a different place.

The IPCA has released the second part of its report into the handling of child abuse cases by police.

While summer continues to roll on, the fashionable tipple should still be rosé. No one is quite sure what is behind the rise and rise of this previously lowly ranked style, but it's popping up all over the place.

A police search and rescue team looking for missing Pahiatua man John Campbell have found a body. Mr Campbell, 64, was last seen leaving his Pahiatua home, in the Tararua district, for work at 6.45am yesterday.

Fire crews battling a scrub fire have evacuated residents at Mangatoetoe.

A coroner has called for the Government to immediately investigate making the wearing of helmets compulsory and tightening other safety regulations.

Firefighters have contained a large scrub fire in Masterton which was burning on about six hectares of land.