A Hamilton man now facing burglary charges told businesses he was robbing he was after a job if he was confronted, say police.

The final day of the second test between NZ and Australia is underway. Follow the action live.

Greedy accommodation operators cashing in on next year's World Cup NZ risks tarnishing NZ's reputation as a fair nation, one travel executive says.

All Black Sione Lauaki admits punching a man in a Hamilton bar earlier this month, but will be available for the Chiefs' next match with the Brumbies.

Telecom shares sank to new a low on the NZ sharemarket today, while rises in Fletcher Building, Contact Energy and other leaders helped carry the market higher.

A young father was stabbed with a steak knife and bitten after he confronted two burglars - both young women - in an incident police say could easily have ended in tragedy.

John Key today slammed a newspaper "stunt" for testing Super 14 security with fake bombs, saying the paper "were comparing apples with oranges".

At least 60 firefighters were needed to quell a blaze understood to be the largest in Hamilton since a fatal coolstore explosion two years ago.

Sixty firefighters were this afternoon battling a blaze at a fibreglass boat builders in Hamilton.

A Sunday newspaper is defending an investigation that put reporters with fake bombs in sports stadiums, horrifying officials and angering police.

A newspaper has been widely condemned for sending mock terrorists into Super 14 rugby games last weekend.

A newspaper has hit back after Police Minister Judith Collins criticised it for sending "terrorists" to Super 14 rugby games.