National is refusing to release certain details about the investigation into the Tauranga MP, who is back in the caucus after a six-week stand-down.

Homes are festooned with memorabilia and Union Jacks hoisted to half-mast. Royal fans - including a distant relative of the Queen - are settling in for a historic occasion.

Around 50 firefighters and 14 fire trucks initially rushed to the blaze.

Independent candidates claim party backing goes against the best interests of communities, while those being endorsed say their values are upfront.

An investigation into MP Sam Uffindell did not substantiate reports he was a bully after leaving high school, National Party president Sylvia Wood says.

The woman was in excruciating pain, and asked for an ECG, but staff believed she was just experiencing an adverse reaction to antibiotics.

A candidate running under the Refreshing Local Democracy banner for a seat on the Timaru District Council says he is not a Voices For Freedom member, but is on the group’s mailing list.

An Indigenous Australian elder has praised Tūhura Otago Museum over the planned return of six treasured Warumungu items.

A friend of Joshua Morris-Bamber, the man accused of killing Tony Waldron while he slept, told a jury she thought he was having "a rough time" when the alleged murder happened.

DoC and marina staff recovered the body and were able to tell from scarring that it was not Auckland's resident leopard seal, Owha.

Samantha Richards couldn’t believe the sales clothing retailer Witchery was having online. Turns out, she shouldn't have.

Judge hears Corrections is short more than 1000 staff and needs to "rebalance" prisoners and staff.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on charges related to possession for supply of synthetics and cannabis as a result of the search warrant.

The rare white herons have started trickling back to their only known Aotearoa nesting site a little early this year.

Alex Carter's parents are relieved their 13-year-old son has been found after he disappeared from school.

The man in charge of the Yarrow Stadium rebuild has apologised to fans if their match day experience suffered because of poor lighting on Friday.

The Hagley Park cherry blossoms bloom for just three weeks a year. An advocate says lighting them up will honour Christchurch's connection with its Japanese sister city.

The Government is "always open to consider sensible ideas", Environment Minister's spokesperson says, after Christchurch defies a directive on density rules.

Even being worried about climate change isn't enough to dull the happiness being felt in sunny Nelson, a national survey shows.

There is simply no way of knowing if or when a large earthquake will occur in the Hikurangi Trench off Gisborne's coast. But people must be prepared.