The lawyer for a Wellington man on trial for rape says sex between the defendant and a complainant was consensual.

The second mass stranding of pilot whales at the Chatham Islands in less than a week is being described as unbelievable by the mayor.

Pharmac's Chief Medical Officer says it is time to look at changing the strict criteria for prescribing ADHD medication.

Followers of a religious sect are setting up shop on sacred land in South Auckland

Oranga Tamariki and police had to step in after two young children were found on the street, unsupervised, looking for food scraps in a rubbish bag.

A Wānaka helicopter company has been ordered to pay $380,000 for a crash in 2018 that killed three people.

The Department of Conservation has released its annual visitor insights report which provides a snapshot of visitors to conservation areas and the quality of their experience.

Health Minister Andrew Little says the government is working with immigration and the union to get more nurses into the country.

A section of foreshore next to a popular Gisborne beach will be closed indefinitely to vehicles after four-wheel drivers "desecrated" it.

Police are looking for a woman after two rural fires in South Wairarapa this morning - and people are advised not to approach her.

Hundreds of Tertiary Education Union members rallied during a two-hour strike at the university's main campus in Dunedin, starting their march in steady rain with plenty of umbrellas and rain jackets.

Adults in Australia can now get Moderna's Omicron booster, but a NZ vaccinologist says she will not be rushing to get her fourth immunisation.

Towns trying to save their medical services can take a boost, and a warning, from Dannevirke.

A woman has described the moment she was woken and subjected to a violent rape by a musician who is on trial at the Wellington District Court.

Palmerston North Airport was evacuated this afternoon because of unattended bags in the departure lounge.

The Privacy Commission is advising victims of the Pinnacle hack to be wary of any suspicious cellphone communication or bank activity.

The blaze in houses, sheds and barns in South Wairarapa is being treated as suspicious and police are investigating.

A whānau of nine who lost their family home of 28 years in a devastating fire are camping outside and sleeping in vans because of a lack of emergency accommodation in Tairāwhiti.