A burst water main in Wellington central city has been repaired after creating a spectacular geyser this afternoon.

The All Blacks selectors will seriously consider ditching a backup hooker and halfback from their year-end tour squad to make room for more rugby World Cup fringe contenders.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Tyson Colvin is in a stable condition after a piece of a broken bat pierced his chest.

A glider pilot escaped injury after a crash landing in Paraparaumu this morning.

Police smashed their way into a Masterton house this week and held a couple at gunpoint - only to discover the man they were after moved out months ago.

Severe thunderstorms were lashing parts of the upper North Island tonight following chaos further south, as a powerful storm moved across the country.

No less than 18 All Blacks are about to start filtering back into the national provincial championship.

Police say they are increasingly concerned about the behaviour of a man who has been exposing himself to teenage boys.

Rebel MP Hone Harawira broke ranks with his Maori Party colleagues in Parliament today and voted against the legislation that will replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

Auckland lock Andrew Van der Heijden will appear at a judicial hearing tomorrow charged with alleged stamping.

Wellington police have launched an investigation after the discovery of a body in the suburb of Mount Victoria last night.

The body of a missing 25-year-old swimmer was discovered in Wellington's Oriental Bay today.

An armed offenders squad was called out to a house in the Wellington suburb of Newtown today.