Newborns and unborn babies in later pregnancy have been dying in South Auckland at a higher rate than the national average for most of the past decade.

A Buller man who has been plagued by medical problems since 2008 may have to wait at least another two months for an ACC review to be completed.

A sexual assault victim faced her attacker in court and described how his "depravity" had robbed her of her childhood.

Fears are growing that a missing Christchurch tramper could have been swept away in a swollen West Coast river about two weeks ago.

The much vaunted Great West Coast Whitebait Festival in Christchurch has left the Hokitika organisers $100,000 out of pocket.

A tornado flattened an old wooden theatre, tore roofs off houses and shattered windows as it ripped through a small West Coast settlement overnight.

The sometimes wet West Coast is about to play on its reputation with a new $100,000 marketing slogan. Guess what it is?

Pike River Mine families' spokesman Bernie Monk said he was gutted after the PM refused to help with a mine re-entry, after the mine's owners agreed to an attempt.

An 11-year-old Christchurch boy survived the night in dense bush on the West Coast at the weekend, while wearing just a pair of shorts and singlet.

Southern District Health Board's rate of electroconvulsive therapy, at more than double the national average, is the highest in the country.

Police got a rap in the Greymouth District Court yesterday for leaving three drunk men in a vehicle and the keys in the ignition, in the 'wilderness' in the middle of the night.

A West Coast farmer has been sentenced to community service after 60 cattle were found dead and dying.

This month's toll of job losses is striking - but it's a reflection of a slowing of the Chinese economy. It's time to look for jobs that have a future.