Electricity has been restored to the 5500 Wairarapa households that suffered power cuts after strong winds snapped power poles yesterday.

One of the winners of New Zealand's largest ever lottery prize has died.

A former Marist teaching brother was today found guilty of 11 historic sex offences by a jury in the High Court at Wellington.

Minor damage was reported in Masterton and near Otaki after a 5.4-magnitude earthquake this afternoon.

A young man wept in the dock when he was found guilty today of raping his then girlfriend's best friend.

A severe weather warning has been issued as heavy rain and gales are expected to hit areas across the country.

Lotto Powerball has jackpotted to $27 million - potentially the biggest individual prize in New Zealand Lotteries' history.

We quiz some of New Zealand's best winemakers to find their tipples du jour.