The suspension of 15 striking laboratory workers in the North Island this morning was an attempt to intimidate them, their union says.

Local loyalty shines through here, writes Ashley Campbell.

Slips and surface flooding are causing havoc for motorists in the lower North Island as heavy rain and gale force winds sweep the region.

A runaway truck rolled down a hill and fatally pinned a 62-year-old against another truck in a tragedy that has shocked a small community.

A wide cross-section of the Feilding community turned out for a candlelit service tonight in response to recent tragic deaths, and to celebrate the town's strength of spirit.

Hundreds felt a 'sharp, short jolt' which has reportedly caused some damage in Whanganui.

Police are continuing to investigate the deaths of two men and a woman whose bodies were found in a house on the outskirts of Feilding today.

The man killed when his car crashed into the Manawatu Gorge near Ashhurst yesterday morning has been identified.

A car rocketed through a barrier like a "scud missile", plunging 30m into the Manawatu Gorge yesterday, killing the driver.

A police dive squad has recovered the body of a man from the Manawatu River following a crash earlier this morning.

Six weeks on from Scott Guy's murder, his widow Kylee pleaded for his killer to come forward.

Living a life ruined by a gunman is horrible, with the mornings worst of all, Kylee Guy told media.

Brazen but brainless thieves have risked their lives by breaking into a Manawatu wind farm switch yard in an apparent attempt to steal copper wire.

The 69-year-old pig hunter who went missing last night near Wanganui has been found safe and well.