Police looking for Marice McGregor have found a body down a ravine in dense bush but are unable to confirm it is the missing Whanganui woman.

A 6-year-old boy was killed when fire ripped through a Whanganui house last night.

Detectives have refused to rule out abduction or homicide in the case of Whanganui woman Marice McGregor, who disappeared on April 19.

Police have widened their search for Whanganui woman Marice McGregor to the Manawatu after evidence her cellphone was switched on in the region a day after she vanished.

The family of a woman missing for 12 days say they are going through a "slow living nightmare" as police admit something untoward may have happened to her.

Police investigating the disappearance of a Whanganui woman 12 days ago are seriously concerned "something untoward" has happened to her and are appealing for sightings of a green van.

The family of a Wanganui woman who went missing in mysterious circumstances 11 days ago has asked the public for information.

Mayor Michael Laws must accept scrutiny of his private life, according to his radio station colleague John Tamihere.

The partner of controversial Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws has moved out after he called police to their home.

The official warning over a tsunami that threatened the entire east coast of New Zealand today has been downgraded to an advisory, but there is still a threat from ocean surges.

Civil Defence authorities have downgraded the tsunami warning for New Zealand. However, New Zealand authorities are warning that there could be surges for up to 24 hours.

New Zealand east coastal areas aren't out of the woods yet, with Civil Defence authorities and scientists electing keep the tsunami warning in place.