Elizabeth Smither is an acclaimed New Plymouth-based poet, novelist and short story writer. She has recently released The Commonplace Book (AUP, $34.99), a collection of thoughts about writing and the writer's life.

The Easter holiday road toll stands at five after a single-vehicle crash in Taranaki last night.

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders turned out at dawn services across the country.

Police have named the 25-year-old woman who died as a result of a house fire in Paraparaumu yesterday morning.

Facial piercings have been approved as part of school uniform at a major New Plymouth high school.

The flatmate of a 25-year-old mother who died in a house fire in Paraparaumu last night has described how she tried to save her.

Police have released images of two men suspected of trying to kidnap a 22-year-old community probation worker.

It's the flags you see first. WOMAD, held annually at Taranaki's beautiful Brooklands Park, is littered with them.

Here's more to add to your gig diary - though you'd be in a fairly unique demographic if you were after tickets to all of this lot.

Paige Hareb, New Zealand's top woman pro-surfer has joined forces with Subaru of New Zealand in a car deal.

One person has been arrested and four remain on a ship which Greenpeace boarded to prevent it from being unloaded in New Plymouth.

This year's Weet-Bix Tryathlon series kicks off on February 6 in Hamilton. Diana Clement, whose own children took part last year, offers advice aimed at both young and older readers on how to get the best out of the event.