The last moments of Liberty Templeman's life may never be known, as her killer has never told the truth, his sentencing judge has said.

Multimillion dollar property empire heir Stacey Hopper was killed instantly when the family aircraft he was piloting crashed into an occupied van.

An Auckland academic says smoking rates in New Zealand would plummet if tobacco products could not be displayed at shops.

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.

The first wave has reached the Chatham Islands, after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile overnight. An official tsunami alert remains in place for New Zealand's entire east coast.

A Whangarei woman resorted to theft in order to fund her addiction to psychic hotlines.

Name suppression has lifted for the boy convicted of the murder and indecent assault of Northland teenager Liberty Templeman.

A 16-year-old boy has been found guilty of murdering and indecently assaulting schoolgirl Liberty 'Libby' Templeman in November 2008.

The judge presiding over the Liberty Templeman murder trial says there may have to be a retrial if a verdict cannot be reached.

A youth accused of the slaying of Liberty Templeman, 15, today began giving evidence in his own defence at the High Court in Whangarei.

The distraught parents of a slain schoolgirl fled the courtroom as a jury watched video footage of police interviews.

ESR scientists believe blood found on items belonging to the accused boy belonged to murdered teen Liberty Templeman.