Couple feared losing kids after fight over Lego
Two siblings beat each other up so badly in a fight over Lego that their parents were too scared to take them to hospital for treatment, fearing Oranga Tamariki would uplift them from their home.
Government open to selling off polytechs
Government open to selling off polytechs
In a surprise move, the sale of polytechnics will be on the table when the national institute of technology Te Pūkenga is disestablished.
Carl Hayman sentenced for 'psychological abuse'
Carl Hayman sentenced for 'psychological abuse'
A former top sports star who threatened to post a woman’s naked photos online and bombarded her with a series of nude images can now be named as ex-All Black prop Carl Hayman.
Total fire ban to begin in Canterbury
Total fire ban to begin in Canterbury
Canterbury will be under a total fire ban from midday on Monday.
Political figure who abused teens confirms appeal
Political figure who abused teens confirms appeal
The man found guilty of sexually abusing two teens is taking his case to the Court of Appeal next year.
Govt confirms plan to dismantle Te Pūkenga
Govt confirms plan to dismantle Te Pūkenga
The government has confirmed its plan for breaking up the national institute of technology and re-establishing independent polytechnics.
Under-18s barred from Laneway Festival
'Truly sorry': Under-18s barred from Laneway Festival
Auckland's Laneway Festival has been forced to cancel entry to under-18s at its 2025 event, despite already selling tickets to people aged 16 and 17.
Firies save rabbit, baby hawk from flames
Firies save rabbit, baby hawk from flames
A sooty rabbit and distressed baby hawk were rescued from the approaching flames of a large scrub fire near Christchurch.
Access to Tāne Mahuta restored
Access to Tāne Mahuta restored
Access to the world's biggest kauri is set to be restored after an almost three-month project to upgrade visitor infrastructure and protect the tree from a deadly pathogen.
Four dead in horror day on South Island roads
Four dead in horror day on South Island roads
It's been a tragic lead-in to Christmas on South Island roads, with four people killed in crashes yesterday.
New figures show economy worse
New figures show economy worse
The economy was in a deeper-than-expected recession in the middle of the year, many sectors undergoing widespread contraction.
Kāhu takes long flight south to Otago
Kāhu takes long flight south to Otago
A kāhu has been tracked travelling 1600km between Waikato and Otago in less than two weeks.
Peters has a dig, Waititi sings
MPs end year: Peters has a dig, Waititi breaks into song
"Have a good Christmas, 'cos you'll need it sunshine", Winston Peters said in a rowdy debate in the House, while Rawiri Waititi criticised the coalition to the tune of Winter Wonderland.
Luxon will not attend Waitangi
Luxon will not attend Waitangi
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not attend Waitangi at all next year.
Mufti cops stopping pub patrons in anti-drink-drive move
Mufti cops stopping pub patrons in anti-drink-drive move
Suspected drink-drivers leaving Canterbury hotel car parks are being followed and then pulled over by police in unmarked vehicles.
Paua poachers dobbed in over phone
Paua poachers dobbed in over phone
A group of people who took 460 paua from a closed area on the Canterbury coast were caught by fishery officers last week.
Vanuatu quake: NZ Hercules diversion 'embarrassing'
Vanuatu quake: NZ Hercules diversion 'embarrassing'
By Felix Walton of RNZ The former Minister of Defence says delays to critical humanitarian flights to Vanuatu are embarrassing for New Zealand.
Otago punter wins big before Christmas
Ho ho ho! Otago punter wins $5 million
It will be a very merry Christmas for an Otago punter after they won $5 million in last night's Lotto Powerball First Division draw.
Vaccinations against meningococcal disease urged
Vaccinations against meningococcal disease urged
Students heading to university and boarding schools next year are advised to get vaccinated against the life-threatening meningococcal disease.
Prolific artist Mark Braunias dies
Prolific artist Mark Braunias dies
The award-winning former Canterbury University abstract artist Mark Braunias has died aged 69.