"We're dealing with complex, high-risk youth offenders," Oranga Tamariki's deputy chief says, after confirming two out of 10 youths absconded from the trial and a third died in a crash.
A building has been destroyed by a fire in Canterbury that remains out of control, but crews are hopeful of containing the blaze by the end of the day.
Residents of Canterbury's Castle Hill village have been encouraged to evacuate as a spreading scrub fire at Bridge Hill continues to burn out of control.
The Health Commissioner will seek an apology from the former Health Minister, after she suggested at Parliament he had "reputation for cooking the books".
The head of Cycling NZ has apologised to the family of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore for the "appalling" treatment she endured in the sport's high performance programme.
Police remain hopeful of being able to resume searches for three men missing on Aoraki Mount Cook once the weather clears, but hold "grave concerns" for them.
In a season first, MetService has issued heat alerts to known hotspots around the motu, warning residents to take care as temperatures hover around 30°C.