Police believe David Thompson is in Hamilton and is known to have associates across Waikato.

While the eastern region swelters in one of the most rain-deprived Januaries in more than a century, some western areas have been drenched.

A man is in a critical condition after a boating accident in the Coromandel.

Fire crews won't be leaving the scene of a devastating bushfire on the Coromandel until next month.

Authorities continue their investigations to find out the exact cause of a huge fire that destroyed several homes on the Coromandel Peninsula this week.

Residents near a massive bush fire south of Whitianga have been forced to come to terms with the damage it has done amid fears a change in wind direction could spread the blaze further.

Neighbours of Whitianga residents who lost their homes in this week's bush fires have been rallying around - donating food, clothing and time to support the recovery effort. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Jani Dennis and Paul Lee came perilously close to losing everything in this week's devastating bush fire which ravaged 70 hectares of land at the tip of the peninsula.

At least six properties were destroyed - but there was no loss of life during the Whitianga bushfire. And locals say they know it could have been much worse. Made with funding from NZ On Air

What happens when a town triples in size overnight? Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Workmate applies tourniquet to man's injured hand.

The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

The harbourmaster who was stood down from his job for rescuing an orca trapped in a cray pot this week says he would do it again if he had to.

A petition in support a Whitianga harbourmaster stood down after helping rescue an orca has attracted hundreds of signatures.

Proposed new marine protected areas, rules for polluters and changes to commercial fishing methods have been revealed in a long-awaited master plan for the Hauraki Gulf.

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew were sent out to Colville on Sunday in one of 19 callouts over the long weekend.

Nearly 1000 mourners gather to farewell teen who died last month in Whitianga.

Police searching for missing teenager Luke Cochrane in the Coromandel have cordoned off a street after finding a hat believed to be his.

Police divers are still scouring a section of waterway opposite the Whitianga Fire Station for any clues in the search for Luke Cochrane.

Catherine Tamati last heard from her son, Lucas Cochrane, on Saturday morning.

Catherine Tamati last heard from her son, Lucas Cochrane, on Saturday morning.

A man who tried to break up a fight between three dogs copped a bite on the hand and a trip to hospital in a rescue helicopter for his troubles.

A 20-metre fishing boat ran aground 30km off Whitianga on the southern end of Red Mercury Island.

Nothing says spring like the blooming of the kowhai or the opening of scallop season, says Sarah Ell.

Every year the Mercury Bay couple open up the front paddock of their sheep and beef farm and share their piece of paradise with 60 to 80 groups in campervans and caravans, plus a few tents.

A young child and a pregnant woman were among four people seriously injured in a three car smash south of Whitianga last night.

Small town New Zealand does wonderful and whacky to keep up our winter spirits.