The upper North Island has taken a pounding today with heavy rain and wild winds enough to tip trucks and knock out power - but weather warnings are now in place in north and south of the country.

A new report from Water Safety New Zealand has shown 2021 was the worst year for drowning deaths in a decade.

Secondary school principals have united to make an unprecedented call for help from the government.

A wahine Māori who has been infected with shingles several times is urging people to get vaccinated, as a new study has found a link between Covid-19 infection and an increased susceptibility to virus.

Newmarket locals are frustrated with Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, saying Saturday's protest left people cut off from sick family and businesses counting yet more losses.

A "significant step" has been taken to right a historic "betrayal" that occurred with an agreement for council and mana whenua to co-own land in the Tauranga CBD.

Psychological skills gained from adventure sports have helped people cope better with pandemic restriction, a new study has found.

Desperation has forced a young Tairāwhiti family to break down the door of an empty Kāinga Ora home and take up residence this month, even though utilities were disconnected.

There have been another 16 deaths of people with Covid-19 in New Zealand, as well as a further 6910 new community cases.

Air New Zealand has added another plane and more flights to help clear a backlog of stranded passengers in Queenstown, but says it could take days.

Two thousand properties around Waitangi and Paihia lost power this morning, and another fault kept children home from school.

About 2000 ratepayers in Nelson have been warned to expect a significant jump in their rates bill when it arrives this week.

The secretive, cult-like church says its members volunteer their time to contribute to society, but an RNZ investigation has found hundreds of thousands of dollars were sent every year to a Sydney businessman.

Police are offering a reward for information about the unsolved 1998 murder of Canterbury teenager Kirsty Bentley.

Authorities are adamant that despite another fatal crash on the Napier-Taupō highway, the national strategy to cut road deaths actually works.

Stats New Zealand is rejecting criticism that law changes will erode its independence, saying it is at best a misunderstanding, or else misleading.

Police have charged two men with murder over the death of Eli Johnston in western Bay of Plenty last month.

The man accused of killing a mother-of-two almost three years ago has pleaded guilty to her murder.