Mayors in three of New Zealand's poorest districts - the Far North, Rotorua and Gisborne - want to take over central Government agencies in their areas to eradicate "entrenched poverty".

Four young women have been arrested for the aggravated robbery of a Paihia dairy thanks to an alert local who noticed a suspicious

Fire has raced through native scrubland in the bed of a dried-out lake in the Far North.

The sudden deaths of two young girls in the past few weeks - in unrelated incidents - are being investigated.

A real estate agent and her husband have been acquitted of charges relating to dealing the illicit drug methamphetamine, after a jury found them not guilty.

Labour and the Greens say they have dropped plans to cut electoral "deals" in marginal seats,

Plea after man punched Police are appealing for information after an 18-year-old was punched in the neck as he worked on his tablet

Troubled schools: A school where teachers were allegedly given "illegal" payments is one of nine under Government control.

Andrew Little attacks Bill English, as he reveals his battle with prostate cancer left him determined to strive for a system fair for everyone.

A couple of boxer-cross puppies have been plucked from a certain death at Northland dump where they'd been abandoned in a black rubbish bag.

A romantic first date along a Russell beach has sparked a toxic seafood alert that has seen a ban on collecting shellfish from the entire Bay of Islands.

Some of the blaze is now contained and houses don't need to be evacuated.

With two consecutive long weekends approaching for some Kiwis, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is urging travellers to plan their journeys.

A Northland council is warning residents to be weary of the water they buy to replenish rainwater tanks as they believe their supplies may be being siphoned and sold untreated.

An estate agent facing meth and perjury charges broke down in tears while adamantly denying she bought or used drugs.

Alan Langdon, who is accused of taking his 6-year-old daughter to Australia, didn't turn up to court.

Three saved as boat hit rocks and starts taking on water in the Bay of Islands.

Paihia woman 'vehemently denies' using coded real-estate terms to organise buying P from drugs kingpin.

Auckland and Northland are about to get much-needed rain with a line of thunderstorms off the coast of the North Island.

Kingi Ihaka, who died in Auckland on Tuesday morning, has returned to Te Kao, where he was born in 1942. He is remembered as a distinguished

Supermodel Rachel Hunter might not have left her heart in Kaeo when she visited the Far North town recently - but she did leave her

Delightful moment captured on film, winning mum a brand new camera.

SUP080117NADFIRE3.JPGA number of suspicious or carelessly-lit fires, like this one at Pipiwai on Saturday has sparked a total fire

After many missed deadlines, the ribbon is cut on the route from Opua to the Hokianga.

A fire fighting helicopter pilot had an unexpected passenger hitch a ride in his monsoon bucket on Monday.

A rare undeveloped gem in the Hokianga where Polynesian settlers are first believed to have set foot on New Zealand soil is for sale in the Hokianga.

The wife of a pedestrian killed in the Far North in the early hours of New Year's Day went to bed thinking he'd gone for a walk.

By Kristin Edge Five teenagers in a stolen car, including a 14-year-old passenger, were involved in a pursuit lasting 45 minutes

The Far North blaze that called out three fire crews and two helicopters is now under control.

The pedestrian killed in the Far North in the early hours of New Year's Day has been named as Chloe Hope Hartigan. She was 17-years-old