Vanuatu quake: 80,000 estimated to be affected
The number of official deaths from a damaging quake in Vanuatu now stands at 12, as strong aftershocks continue and commercial flights resume.
Boxing Day warning as crews prepare to battle blazes
Boxing Day warning as crews prepare to battle blazes
The warning level for a mammoth bushfire in Victoria has been downgraded as firefighters brace for sweltering conditions on Boxing Day.
Albania bans TikTok for a year
Albania bans TikTok for a year
Albania is to ban TikTok for one year, following the recent killing of a teen that raised fears over the influence of social media on children.
'Have a horrible holiday': Pet-sitter's message as owners watch dog die
'Have a horrible holiday': Pet-sitter's message as owners watch dog die
Winston the dog had been for a full check-up the day before the family left and their vet noted he was in good health.
Overloaded maternity system facing job and service cuts
Overloaded maternity system facing job and service cuts
Midwives are warning an already stretched maternity system faces further overload if Health NZ axes almost all its roles in maternity support services.
Fears women worried for safety won't call police
Fears women worried for safety won't call police
Victims advocates warn some women fearing for their safety this Christmas will not call the police, thinking they will be turned away.
Christmas market attack: Authorities probe motive
Christmas market attack: Authorities probe motive
The deadly car attack on a Christmas market in Germany killed five people and injured at least 200.
More than 30 killed in Brazil bus and truck collision
More than 30 killed in Brazil bus and truck collision
A packed bus has collided with a truck and burst into flames in Brazil, killing more than 30 people, the fire department says.
Man charged over incident at Blenheim home
Man charged over incident at Blenheim home
A man is facing numerous charges following an incident in Blenheim in which police negotiators attended.
Missing Christchurch woman and children located
Missing Christchurch woman and children located
The woman and her two children reported missing earlier today in Christchurch have been located and are safe.
Obituary: George Negus, journalist
Obituary: George Negus, journalist
For many, veteran broadcaster George Negus was the face of Australian journalism.
Lightning strike causes power outage in Hawke's Bay
Lightning strike causes power outage in Hawke's Bay
Repair teams have fixed a tripped circuit, Transpower says, after a lightning strike cut power to at least 50,000 people in the eastern and central North Island.
King's cancer treatment progressing well: palace
King's cancer treatment progressing well: palace
King Charles III's cancer treatment is progressing well and will continue next year, a Buckingham Palace source says, as the royals prepare for their Christmas get-together after a "brutal"...
Last repatriation from Port Vila, water needed
Last repatriation from Port Vila, water needed
NZ's last repatriation flight from Port Vila is taking off today after a deadly quake earlier this week. World Vision Vanuatu says international aid is making a real difference, but the situation remains grave and water is needed.
Govt quietly scraps waste minimisation policies
Govt quietly scraps waste minimisation policies
The coalition government has quietly cancelled plans to improve recycling and roll out a kerbside food scraps composting scheme.
Nelson Hospital conditions 'unbearable'
Nelson Hospital conditions 'unbearable'
Workers at Nelson Hospital say conditions are unbearable, with temperatures sometimes over 30°C inside, mould on the window sills and bits of the ceiling falling onto desks.
Out of control fires in Aussie's east, heatwave in west
Out of control fires in Aussie's east, heatwave in west
Bushfires are raging in different corners of Australia, with "leave immediately" warnings issued for more towns in what's shaping up to be difficult emergency season ahead.
US House approves bill to avert shutdown
US House approves bill to avert shutdown
The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives has passed legislation to avert a midnight government shutdown, defying President-elect Donald Trump's demand to also greenlight trillions of dollars in new debt.
How to drive safely over Christmas
How to drive safely over Christmas
Police say they will work hard to keep people safe over Christmas - but road users need to play their part too.
Crash shuts repaired Northland highway
Crash shuts repaired Northland highway
A crash has closed SH1 through the Mangamuka Gorge in Northland, just a day after it was reopened following a lengthy repair job.