If Bill English was as superstitious as his predecessor, he would be a bit nervous that when he is asked about Andrew Little an earthquake strikes.

Members of slain Upper Hutt woman Lois Rita Tolley's family were meant to be gathering for Christmas celebrations, but instead they will be gathering for a funeral.

New Prime Minister Bill English is expected to announce a new Cabinet lineup in the next week.

The quake, which has been upgraded to 'strong' from 'moderate' by Geonet, was felt in Wellington.

The latest predictions indicate the rain may stay away on the festive holiday.

The teens, aged 14 and 15, were training around midday when the wind turned and toppled the three yachts, throwing them into the sea.

The family of a Hamilton man who drowned in the Waikato River, as his dog sat at the edge, have left the city as memories of his death remain raw.

The devastated mother of Lois Tolley who was murdered in Upper Hutt says her daughter was a "very caring person who loved life".

A woman found dead at an Upper Hutt property on Friday night was "lovely", "positive" and had a "huge heart", friends say.

Wellington police are appealing for information after a woman was badly injured in a possible hit and run early Saturday morning.

The woman was flown by rescue helicopter to Wellington Hospital after she was struck by the vehicle.

Police are hunting three men over a suspicious death in Upper Hutt, which has sparked a homicide investigation.

Creepy crawlies are taking over Wellington's Te Papa, and it's just in time for the school holidays.

Rob Zorn's car is one of 10 vehicles left in Wellington building to be demolished that cannot be retrieved.

Wellington's notorious weather has delayed the demolition of quake-damaged office building.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has released its findings on two Wellington commuter train crashes.

New Zealand's new Prime Minister is a former farmer and literature student from smalltown Southland who once described himself as "specialising in being boring".

Police asked motorists to be patient, "drive with extreme caution", reduce their speeds and avoid non-urgent travel.

Wellington City Council's recovery manager officially has the power to make building owners share the results of their building inspections with the council.

Parts of the North Island are expected to hit 30 degrees today, with Hawke's Bay getting the biggest dose of the sun's rays.

A bitter run of tyre slashing near Wellington Airport could lead to rule changes for on-street parking.

Three groups of recreational divers face prosecution after being nabbed with almost 400 illegally caught paua in the Wellington region over the weekend.

Police have increased their patrols around Upper Hutt schools following reports of men trying to lure children away - with one man offering a child Pokemon cards to follow him.

Wellington records its wettest spring since World War II, with rain falling on 63 out of 91 days during the season.

A Kapiti Coast man who disappeared on his way to work yesterday has been found.

People across New Zealand have been basking in today's sunshine as the first weekend of summer did not disappoint.

National MP Paul Foster-Bell has spoken out for the first time about his sexuality in response to Brian Tamaki linking homosexuality to earthquakes.

Suzanne Aubert was an inspirational figure in New Zealand history.

Owners of a top Wellington restaurant could be left tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket from last month's earthquake.

Lower Hutt shoppers won't be vying for a car park at Queensgate or the CBD this Christmas season, thanks to a free weekend shuttle service.