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.

Victims advocates warn some women fearing for their safety this Christmas will not call the police, thinking they will be turned away.

The coalition government has quietly cancelled plans to improve recycling and roll out a kerbside food scraps composting scheme.

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.