The decades-long misconception that autism is a "male or boy thing" has left a lot of women in the lurch, an academic says.

Kate Hawley has won the award from the British Fashion Council for her work on Frankenstein.

While Te Hina Rehua-Whare may not have laid a hand on the five victims, a judge has laid the full blame of the assault at her feet.

Paula Beilby was not only stopped, but also chided, after suggesting the defendant was given special treatment.

New locations of interest have been identified, including two Wellington supermarkets.

So far, 27 queens, seven workers and 17 nests have been successfully located and removed from Auckland's North Shore.

The district council says its wastewater system has overflowed and has the potential to reach Waiwhakaiho River and Bell Block Beach.

A torrential downpour has literally rained on Auckland's parade, as MetService warned of a severe thunderstorm.

The national airline says it expects no "ongoing impact" from the weekend's disruption, which saw 27 flights cancelled.

About 25,000 frontline responders are already using the Public Safety Network's (PSN) cellular service.

A survey of more than 30,000 Year 10 students has indicated the perception of vaping is changing.

Surf Life Saving warns that the warm weather has created a perfect storm of hidden hazards, such as rips.

PM Christopher Luxon, former All Blacks Pita Alatini and Eroni Clark, and MasterChef judge Michael Dearth joined about 2500 other volunteers to pack boxes.

While welcomed by the pros, volunteers fear disbanding the ACC panel will make it more difficult to access help.

A 20-year-old man is alleged to have threatened members of the public and fired a shot into the air.

The two new high security units, scheduled for early 2027, "will add more capacity" to the prison system, says the Corrections Minister.