Congestion north of Auckland and around Wellington has eased, NZ Transport Agency says.

A mother and her sons are being treated for hypothermia after a "miserable night" in cold, wet conditions in the Tararua Range.

Police have revealed details of a dramatic incident that allegedly began with dangerous driving and ended with assault in downtown Wellington late this afternoon.

The Ministry of Education has put schools on notice: stop using cell-like seclusion rooms as punishment immediately.

Motorists are being diverted away from a section of State Highway 2 after a serious crash this afternoon.

Wellington people who are in the right place at the right time this weekend will get to see a flash mob dance in the lead up to the

Gable Tostee's acquittal over the balcony fall death of Wellington woman Warriena Wright was almost scuttled by an Instagram post.

Finbarr Patrick Clabby could not swim when he ended up in Wellington Harbour after a night out. His body was found later the same morning.

There was no wrongdoing in the death of a soldier injured in a rugby league match, a coroner has found.

Wellingtonians can have a group of kittens brought to their home for an hour and a half of play ... at a starting bid of only $1.

A minor crash in Paekakariki has caused major delays on State Highway 1. Police are advising motorists to avoid travelling south

The leader of a methamphetamine importation ring - run from his prison cell - has been jailed.

Police have seized items from the homes of elderly women in Wellington and Nelson which has sparked criticism of political interference from a voluntary euthanasia group.

After Warriena Wright's death at the foot of Gable Tostee's apartment building, people on both sides of the Tasman asked why and how she got there.

A heart attack victim has been described by medics as a "very lucky man" after having the medical issue at an event wherewith two

Powerball was not struck this evening, meaning the jackpot on Wednesday night will be a cool $22 million.

Details of a public funeral service for union boss Helen Kelly have been released.

A person had to be cut from their wrecked car after a collision north of Wellington this morning.

A Wellington woman had to jam a carving knife in her front door to stop a man breaking in and assaulting her.

The Wellington postie who dumped thousands of mail items - including election voter packs - has been fired, and had his case referred to police.

A Wellington skier is critically injured after an accident on Mt Ruapehu which Peter Hillary witnessed from a chairlift before rushing to assist with the rescue.

Four men reveal their part in a large heist at a Lower Hutt cigarette factory.

Shandelle Battersby checks into a hotel that celebrates the story of NZ's early settlers.

Lower Hutt Police have found the old model BMW sought in connection to an armed robbery in Taita last night.

An independent inquiry should immediately investigate the use of "time out" rooms in schools, says the head of the national Autism charity.

Woman whose brother died after being hit by truck in 2005 says she is still waiting for an apology from truck driver who today avoided jail for killing a second cyclist.

A couple have spoken of their fear when armed robbers came into their takeaway shop just before closing.

The high school of rugby player Losi Filipo has come out in support of its former student.

Angry parents say they will pull their children from a Wellington school caught using a "time-out" room for naughty pupils unless there is more accountability.

No bomb has been found at Wellington's Rimutaka Prison after a member of the public reported a "suspicious package" in a carpark.