When rhododendron and world music festivals are the main drawcards to Taranaki, you could be forgiven for thinking the region has traded its wild west coast image for an altogether more hippy vibe.

A pensioner has been blackmailed out of most of his life savings by a serial conman who threatened to spread rumours the two men were sexually involved.

Taking New Zealand's rich and diverse music scene to the world is the aim of Womad's Emere Wano, who has launched the music expo Sounds Aotearoa to provide an opportunity for NZ artists to be heard overseas.

Five months after Irish No 8 Jamie Heaslip brazenly kneed the All Blacks captain in the back, McCaw barely recalls the incident ahead of presumably their next encounter

Redback spiders could thrive in some areas of NZ, posing a real threat to native wildlife, a scientist says.

Looking after long-standing clients has paid off for a west coast seafood supplier.

If you really want to appreciate a garden, you need to stay in it, writes Chris Samsara.

A blind couple from Mali will be the stars of what is one of the strongest Womad line-ups in years when the three-day world music festival returns in March.

Two firefighters have been injured - one of them seriously - battling a large fire at a poultry farm near New Plymouth.