Maya Moore, described as wearing an oilskin waistcoat and cowboy hat, is believed to have been seen walking or hitch-hiking in the area this morning.

Genesis and Contact's gas prices are rising by about 11% while more than 200,000 Contact customers also face an average 8% rise in their electricity bills.

Two more cases of the contagious virus have been detected after handful of Pams imported frozen berry products were recalled as a precaution.

The new mayor's office said he met with seven councillors on Tuesday, but one of them says his appointment isn't until Wednesday.

Relatives of those killed say their lives have been ruined, with one widow calling her husband's phone over 60 times just to hear his voice on the answerphone.

A social worker says authorities would have made more inquiries if they'd known Leith Hutchison's parents were drug users - which could have saved his life.

Businesses along SH6 say they'll be hit hard when the road closes for seven weeks while repairs are done.

People say the location of the bus stop could increase the chances of a pedestrian being hit.

The jury in the rape trial of a Wellington musician has been shown a video of him in the bed of a complainant the morning after the party where they met.

Russian businessman Alexander Abramov has been banned from travelling to New Zealand, but his business interests have escaped sanction.

David Lee locked his elderly father in a dark room overnight and forced him to wear a nappy and a wetsuit he could not remove.

In a change from Sir Tim, Invercargill's new mayor will don the mayoral chains only for special events and won't need to be addressed as “your worship”.

Elected-on-Saturday, excluded-on-Sunday, Cyril Dawson wants an apology from the Marlborough District Council for calling the election, and him, too early.

A two-vehicle crash has closed State Highway 29 on the outskirts of Tauranga, with one person in critical condition and another seriously injured.

Both the crown prosecutor and sentencing judge made mistakes in the case of Jayden Meyer's penalty for multiple rapes, a court has heard.

Not long ago, Otago's regional council was embroiled in interpersonal conflict and under investigation for not doing its job. Now, it is poised to have its most progressive team in years.

One person has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after a crash near Mabel Bush, Southland on Tuesday afternoon.

The MindTheGap campaign has delivered a petition with 8000 signatures - and a cake - to Parliament to show the depth of concern about unfair pay.

Miriam Chemaou has one fiance but next year will have three wedding ceremonies so finding a dress for $30 at secondhand clothes pop-up shop was a dream come true.

They've been asking for it for years and now hundreds of Kiwis with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are set to have access to the drug Stelera from February.