The leak at a plant in Hāwera was potentially lethal to staff, emergency services personnel and nearby residents and was New Zealand's worst fish kill event, a judge has observed.

Hundreds of Aucklanders have been making the familiar pilgrimage to Covid-19 testing centres after three new community cases were confirmed yesterday.

Clutha District Council is warning pet owners to be vigilant along the district's waterways after the death of a dog which drank water by the riverside.

An inquest into the deaths of six people with epilepsy has revealed the drug buying agency knew a brand switch came with risks.

Bees being able to smell trouble is a skill that could give them a fighting chance against the deadly Varroa mite.

The immigration minister is considering a revamp of New Zealand's largest residence programme.

A person has died following a serious truck crash near Milford Sound.

When he was confronted by a member of the public, the man dropped his catch bag of 50 pāua and drove away.

A court has been told a man entirely invented a story about a prominent businessman fondling him in bed, when he was actually helping him while he was violently ill with food poisoning.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council has pushed back on adding Māori wards immediately and will hear what the public thinks before any decision is made.

One of the men on trial over the shooting and robbery at the Red Fox Tavern more than 30 years ago told the police he knew they would be after him over the crime, a jury has been told.

Two more men linked to Dilworth School have been charged with historical sexual offending against boys.

A first of its kind study in New Zealand shows patients who needed public hospital care after private inpatient treatment cost $11.5 million in the 2013/14 year.

A major police operation targeting gangs has led to a dozen firearms, methamphetamine and more than $1 million in cash, gold, high-end vehicles and bitcoins being seized.

A convicted murderer is on the run from authorities and is considered armed and dangerous.

About 40 border workers were the first in the South Island to be vaccinated against Covid-19 today after a second batch of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived yesterday at Auckland International Airport.

Four people are believed to be hurt - with one critically injured - following a serious crash near Warkworth, north of Auckland.

At least half of the Papatoetoe High School community have been tested and the results so far have all been negative, the Covid-19 Response Minister says.