After a dramatic high-seas rescue, a Kiwi sailor tells of fear and misery on a crippled yacht during a Pacific storm.

A New Zealand woman and her partner rescued from their damaged yacht in a Pacific storm say they are grateful to be alive after a long ordeal.

Two people trapped on a stricken yacht 1260km northwest of New Zealand have been rescued by a cargo ship this morning.

People waking up on a Sunday morning and hoping to have a cool dip in the water have a real cause for concern. Sam Judd looks into the pollution of our rivers.

The Maori fight against the partial sale of Mighty River Power goes to court on Tuesday after papers to block the sale were filed in the High Court at Wellington.

The Maori Council does not speak for Maori affected by the partial sale of Mighty River Power, according to Finance Minister Bill English.

Finance Minister Bill English welcomes opportunity to defend sale of state-owned enterprise in court.

The Government has confirmed it will not proceed with the Waitangi Tribunal's "shares plus'' concept when it partially privatises Mighty River Power.

Auckland ratepayers are spending $13.1 million a year to pay for seven boards of directors, seven chief executives and seven executive teams who run much of the Super City.

Mighty River has lost one of two Maori directors in what appears to be fall-out from opposition to the government's plans to partially privatise SOEs.

Health warnings over Lake Tutira have been extended following the detection of higher levels of cyanobacteria by the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.