Queen Elizabeth II had an "aura imbued with aroha", the congregation was told during an emotional but uplifting sermon at Christchurch Transitional Cathedral tonight.

A West Coast tourism operator says an increase in tawaki sightings suggests more are navigating the Tasman Sea to nest in nearby rainforest.

A person is in hospital with serious injuries after being assaulted when they helped a woman who was being chased by a man following a family harm incident.

It is the perhaps the most unusual - and exclusive - museum in the world, filled with artefacts that have shaped history but its doors are firmly shut to the public.

Shops at a busy Hamilton mall were briefly put into lockdown after midday, as a group of masked robbers smashed cabinets at another Michael Hill store.

Wellington's new children's hospital will open next month without having any extra clinical services on hand for patients.

Environmental testing shows rivers and lakes in low lying areas of the country are generally in a bad state.

The Dunedin City Council is considering supporting an inter-regional passenger rail service connecting Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.

Hundreds of residents in rural parts of Canterbury are facing several months without safe drinking water due to high nitrate concentrations.

A man has died nearly a week after being struck by a vehicle in Rotorua.

The cathedral dean who will lead commemorations for Queen Elizabeth in Christchurch believes residents remember her fondly.

A man has been hospitalised in a serious condition after a hit and run in Invercargill this morning.

Police are investigating after a woman was left with a serious gunshot wound near Rotorua overnight.

Auckland mayoral candidate Efeso Collins reiterates the need for Auckland to turn out to vote after "see-sawing" polls.

Organisers of a charity auction celebrating the country's finest photo journalism say last night's event exceeded expectations.

Some health information that has been unavailable to the public since district health boards were abolished is soon to be made available again.

People are being encouraged to check their smoke alarms as the clocks go forward an hour tonight for daylight saving.

Almost a year to the day after American scientist Lauren Kimiyo Worrell fell to her death rock climbing, her ex-boyfriend stole money raised in her name.