An increase in the number of farmers failing significantly to meet effluent rules is unacceptable, says Fonterra. Significant non-compliance increased by 1 per cent to 16 per cent for the 2009/10 season.

The national drowning toll for the first two months of the year rose to 35, after 15 drownings in February.

Thirty-five jobs may be up for the chop but affected staff are being consulted before any decisions, Niwa says.

A contractor has smashed through a major underground cable in Christchurch, leaving the southern suburbs on back-up power and nearly killing himself twice in the process.

Blogger Peter Hyde says there are now three cities within earthquake-hit Christchurch, and one of them - where many people live - is being neglected by the media.

The latest James Cameron film dives into new territory, both underwater and underground. Russell Baillie talks to director Alister Grierson

Police searching for a missing Roxburgh man have found a body in the Clutha River.

A 52-year-old man who drowned at Muriwai Beach west of Auckland last night paid the ultimate price for not heeding the warning signs at the notoriously dangerous swimming spot.

Grave fears are held for a man believed to have fallen into the Clutha River in central Otago this afternoon.