A police investigation into the discovery of a man's body in Wainuiomata has been upgraded to homicide.

Wellington has been hammered by heavy rain and strong winds today, bringing down trees and blocking roads.

On a rail trip from the capital, Pamela Wade is enraptured by the North Island's emerald green beauty and looming mountains.

The owner of a cat shot through the head with a crossbow says she will talk to an 18-year-old who handed himself into police before she decides whether to push for charges to be laid.

The family of a woman murdered in a calculated attack by her former partner say his sentencing will help to put the "dark period" behind them.

A married senior naval officer dismissed from the Defence Force after a 37-year career over an affair with a subordinate has not yet decided whether to appeal.

A senior navy officer has been found guilty of charges relating to a relationship with a subordinate at a Court Martial.

Long hours of answering questions about her ill-fated affair with a senior Defence boss drove a woman to breaking point late on the first day of a Court Martial.

An ongoing romantic liaison between Royal New Zealand Navy Commodore Kevin Keat and a female civilian staff member is under scrutiny at a court martial.

A 25-year-old man was critically injured when he lost control of a motorcycle while fleeing police in Porirua this afternoon.

Danielle Wright spends a family weekend with nature.

Celia Wade-Brown has shaken off her nearest challenger John Morrison to win a second term as mayor of Wellington.

A toxic paint that sickened a woman and forced her family out of their home has been pulled from sale as officials investigate what is in the paint that made her ill.

A major thunder and lightning show is playing out over Wellington, reportedly causing flash flooding through the city.