The expressway in Hamilton was closed in both directions while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene.

Arese Poliko only started playing rugby at 15 and seven years on, at 22 years old, the No 8 now looks at home playing in New Zealand's national provincial competition.

The DIY dance party, which has a sprung floor, four speakers, lighting and a bluetooth link to the user's music, was created in the wake of the Canterbury earthquakes.

Marlborough joins Nelson in declaring a state of emergency as 'red' heavy rain warning is set to continue.

Four minutes after Marcelo Montoya got the visitors on the scoreboard, North Queensland score their third try of a one-sided first half in Townsville.

Pockets of Marlborough with nowhere to go are “hoping for the best” as the rain continues to fall.

Snappy dresser Pastor Pete has used church funds to team up with a developer who has a chequered business history.

Nelson leaders say they cannot guarantee when evacuated residents can return home as the region braces for more rain on Friday night.

Jinho Bae – drawn to Hawke's Bay by a “big adventure story” his father told 45 years ago – is among a 600-strong and growing Korean collective.

“I don’t think they could take down castle walls, but maybe a house," says one of the teens whose machine can fling boulders 150m.

Manufacturing and engineering firms in Southland will be the hardest hit when the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter closes; but the Southland Business Chamber says a new industry body could help them survive.

The bank made it cheap and easy to borrow money, so it can't turn around and tell people not to spend up on houses, Shamubeel Eaqub said.

The Timaru District Council has welcomed news that they are part of an investigation by the Chief Ombudsman into how councils are using workshops in the local democracy process.

REVIEW: With a tone and style reminiscent of the magnificent The Guard, this makes terrific use of its Emerald Isle backdrop and a truly impressive ensemble.

Slime, who lives on nitrates in New Zealand's waterways, is running on a hard pro-pollution platform: 'I stand for money," it said at its campaign launch.

The Manawatū Cyclones are in the odd position of still being able to qualify for the semifinals, but also are a chance of being relegated.

A jet boat going full throttle is something not often seen on the Maitai River - especially during a flood - and the police were not impressed.

ASB and BNZ offer emergency overdrafts and mortgage suspensions.

Synthetic track action in CD has shifted up a gear with the first trial meeting at Awapuni.

Blue chip stock slumps 6% after forecasting a significant fall in first-half profit after demand from hospitals for its breathing aids slowed.