Taranaki wrestled the Ranfurly Shield away from Southland in a double dose of disappointment for the Stags.

A chemical smell which led to the evacuation of Wellington Police Station yesterday was caused by an electrical fault in the lift.

The bitterly cold southerly which hit New Zealand this week is retreating, but widespread frosts are taking its place.

A fire has gutted a derelict house in a north Wellington suburb overnight.