FENZ crews were sent to two blazes in the Auckland region, one in Beach Haven and one in Glenfield.

The death is the first recorded of a humpback whale entangling with a rock lobster pot buoy rope in New Zealand.

Property, motorbikes and bank deposits are being stripped from a Wellington methamphetamine dealer.

The 12-year-old is the third-youngest recipient ever to receive a NZ Bravery Award, after an experience he says he "wouldn't want anyone to go through".

Police previously shut the highway between Summit Road and Long Bay Road.

The youth escaped from justice residence Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo in the Selwyn district town of Rolleston on Saturday morning.

The government announced it would be cutting the contract for MMA Vision months ahead of time to save money.

Five men have been arrested and charged in relation to the incident.

Junior Fa'amalosi Isaako was asleep at his home in Flaxmere, Hastings in June, when he was awoken by loud arguing.

Injuries sustained by a person in a vehicle "are not consistent with a crash", police say.

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones was one of eight people to be awarded the New Zealand bravery medal on Saturday.

Passengers were stuck on the Kaiārahi for more than six hours on Friday night, after a "technical problem with the steering" was discovered during checks.

The rider was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died soon after.

Australian man Jonathan Young received the bravery award posthumously as he drowned while trying to save the struggling child in Lake Whakatipu.

Few things are more frustrating than spending hours on the road only to realise you've forgotten something important.

Predator Free Wellington says efforts to eliminate predators have led to increased numbers of kōtare (kingfisher), pīwakawaka (fantail), riroriro (grey warbler), and tūi being observed.