A nine-year-old girl is on crutches and terrified of going anywhere on her own after she was viciously assaulted by a group of drunken thugs - in broad daylight.

The impacts of the global financial crisis hit are ingrained in our communities.

New and "very serious" allegations have been made against two Child, Youth and Family caregivers already facing more than 30 abuse charges.

Mid-term and looking for a rest from routine, Danielle Wright gathered up her family and their gumboots, and headed for the hills.

Our four-legged beasts can now share the love in Auckland parks.

Three people have died on the roads so far this weekend in crashes near Wellsford, in the Far North and in west Auckland.

Rowan Hargreaves said he looked forward to seeing the men accused of shooting 33 of his dogs facing charges before a jury.

The man who took part in the gruesome Wellsford massacre of 33 dogs insisted that his conscience was clear last night.

Three police cars were last night at the property of one of the men believed to have shot 33 dogs.

SPCA staff who inspected carcasses of 33 dogs slaughtered in Northland earlier this week have been offered counselling.

SPCA inspectors sent to the scene of a mass killing of dogs have described it as a 'frightening example of animal abuse.'

A dispute between two neighbours has led to the slaughter of 33 dogs.

After laying off 105 staff seven months ago, Irwin Industrial Tools is to close for good just before Christmas.