A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck 35km south-east of Gisborne at 6.18am, GeoNet reported.

A South Korean man has drowned after diving into a popular river rockslide pool to save two children.

A Gisborne robber who swung a knife at an Indian restaurant employee and stole $6000 later told police he was prepared to use the knife.

An elderly man was bashed in a late night home invasion in Gisborne.

Police believe the people who have slaughtered sheep at night inland from Gisborne in recent months, and stolen the meat to sell, are experienced farm workers who live in that area.

A young forestry worker is in intensive care at Gisborne Hospital after he was hit by a log in a forestry block today.

Gisborne's main water pipe has been reconnected four days after it broke following work by Gisborne District Council staff and contractors from Fulton Hogan.

Gisborne is in a water crisis following a major break in the main trunk pipeline from the dams that supply the city with water.

A German tourist who was shot while hunting near Gisborne on Christmas Eve has been transferred to Auckland Hospital's critical care department.

Two women jailed for killing Amandeep Singh last year were part of a local culture of females using promises of sex to swindle migrant Indian workers, a defence lawyer says.

Two women accused of killing Indian national Amandeep Singh in Gisborne late last year have each pleaded guilty to a new charge of manslaughter.

Two men who saved a Gisborne man from a blazing car south of Gisborne last week have been described as "a couple of good blokes who wanted to help".

A homicide inquiry is underway after a man was run over several times on the East Coast last night.

Rhythm and Vines co-founder Hamish Pinkham is joining us for a live chat about the iconic music festival he launched with a couple of friends 10 years ago.