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.
National
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.
Steak back on the menu for Renee
Steak back on the menu for Renee
Christchurch woman Renee Veal will soon be eating food she has not been able to enjoy for 11 years after she had life-changing jaw surgery this week.
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.
Blenheim man arrested after holding baby hostage
Blenheim man arrested after holding baby hostage
A hostage situation in Blenheim that lasted nearly a day has been peacefully resolved.
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.
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.
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.
Couple feared losing kids after fight over Lego
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.