A leading independent beer brewer would like to see prices removed from alcohol advertising as a way to tackle drinking issues in New Zealand.

A New Zealand nettle holds clues about inflicting stings that researchers say could help them develop more medicines for reducing pain.

The move will contaminate rivers short-term but is better than letting the wastewater flow onto people's properties, a council three waters engineer says.

A homicide investigation is under way in Taranaki after a man's body was located outside an Oaonui property today.

Russia's foreign ministry has slapped New Zealand journalists and officials with sanctions for supporting what it called the country's "Russophobic agenda."

Many parts of the country have been lashed by heavy rain and wintery weather this morning and overnight, with travel disrupted in many areas.

Locals and rescue teams have been working to protect marine life since the 40-foot boat ran aground overnight.

The number of deaths in New Zealand confirmed as attributable to Covid-19 has risen above the 1500 mark, as 4238 new community cases are reported today.

Five people are injured, including one who is in a critical condition, after a crash in Manawatū.

Hospitality businesses have been busy this winter despite the challenges, says industry leader, but staff have been under enormous pressure.

Police have arrested four people in relation to a spate of shootings across Auckland from Friday afternoon until Saturday morning.

The troubled vocational education organisation, Te Pūkenga, is cutting $8 million from its head office costs.

Two people are in hospital in critical condition after separate early-morning assaults in Wellington and Christchurch today.

Insurers have paid out close to $200 million for extreme weather claims in the 12 months to June.

A major bridge in the Clutha District hit a milestone this week but it may mean delays for motorists.

Auckland Council has dodged a million-dollar bill for alerting residents to incoming changes to housing intensification.

The all-weather, all-tide trail between the Buller Bridge and Toki Poutangata Bridge allow pedestrians and cyclists to complete the link from Westport to Carters Beach, Tauranga Bay and beyond.

Police are investigating the unexplained death of a woman in Hamilton overnight.