NZ Post allowed a Manawatu mailman to keep driving for them, despite knowing about a string of drink-driving convictions.

The trial has begun of a freezing worker accused of shooting dead his brother and driving around the lower North Island with him in the back seat, avoiding police during a two-day manhunt.

A mother is calling for a city council to take action after a falling football goal crossbar broke all but one bone in her son's face.

A gathering ended with near-tragedy when a vehicle ploughed into a crowd on a remote rural road outside re-elected Manawatu district mayor Ian McKelvie's property.

NIWA's latest seasonal outlook predicts temperatures in all regions are likely to be above average from October to December.

Hundreds of North Island homes have been hit by power cuts as high winds continue to lash regions still reeling from the weekend's storm.