The dry weather is helping Gisborne's grape growers, who are praising the high quality of this year's harvest.

Overwhelmed is how Sass Mahuika says she felt on reaching the Cook plaza on top of Gisborne's landmark Kaiti Hill by wheelchair yesterday.

Court action may be the next step for kiwifruit growers following new research that showed the Psa strain that crippled the industry came from China.

A woman died in a head-on smash between people-mover and an articulated truck in Ormond township, near Gisborne, early this morning.

Up to 150 people walked into the hills flanking the Wharerata Hills south of Gisborne yesterday to pay homage to those who lost their lives working to give the region a railway link to Napier.

Few people outside Gisborne and perhaps her own sport would recognise the name of the sportswoman who was let off a drink-driving conviction and had her name suppressed.

A woman has been jailed for five years and three months for the Valentine's Day killing of her partner by stabbing him in the neck with a knife.

Four Gisborne men are facing kidnapping and aggravated robbery charges after a car deal went wrong.

An independent review has found flaws in KiwiRail's decision to close the Gisborne to Napier line and suggests the tonnage needed to keep the route viable can be achieved.

An independent report aimed at proving the economic viability of the Gisborne to Napier railway line is expected to be released to the public this week.

As the Gisborne music festival celebrates its 10th anniversary police say Rhythm & Vines has been relatively successful, despite thefts threatening to mar the event.

Rhythm and Vines festival organisers are happy a bit of rain isn't going to put off concert-goers.

The Rhythm & Vines crew will be working through the night to get the stage ready for 25,000 festival goers after a truck carrying audio equipment rolled off the road.

Two cars have been involved in a serious crash south of Gisborne.

Police in Gisborne will be cracking down on pre-loading and drink driving over Rhythm and Vines that starts on Saturday.

Situated on a vineyard looking towards Young Nicks Head, the Rhythm and Vines music festival is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this month.

A jury has taken just three hours to find a woman guilty of the manslaughter of her partner on Valentine's Day, but cleared her of murder.

Accused murderer Patricia Erica Paton had a "huge egg" on her forehead and a split lip when she hitchhiked to Opotiki on the night her partner died from a stab wound.

A woman who claims she stabbed her partner to death in self defence cried "I killed my man" after she inflicted the fatal wound, a witness has told the High Court.

A gambling addict who stole more than $60,000 from her employer, started to steal five days after her employment.