First it was creepy clowns, now people dressed as monkeys are terrorising people.

The standard Kiwi home is earning more than the average worker makes from their job in seven of the country's 12 districts.

Congestion north of Auckland and around Wellington has eased, NZ Transport Agency says.

Dunedin schools have been left frustrated they were in the dark about the release of a child sex offender in the area.

A crater lake in Central Otago has given a Kiwi scientist a unique insight into how quickly climate change could cause the Antarctic ice sheet to melt.

Shandelle Battersby checks into a beautiful property with an exceptional restaurant.

Kiwi man Duane Trafford has posted a blunt assessment of what he needs from his new staff.

A frightening direct lightning strike at a Mosgiel retirement village yesterday ''caused havoc with the electrics'' and frightened residents and staff.

A snoozing fur seal has been moved on from a Dunedin cyclepath - again.

A jury has unanimously found a Dunedin cleaner guilty of beating his boss to death with a hammer.

A High Court jury has retired to consider its verdict in the case of a Dunedin cleaner accused of murdering his supervisor.

A 13-and-a-half-year-old golden retriever has clocked up a whopping 700,000km over the years.

The Otago Regional Councillor who lost his seat to Michael Laws by five votes is seeking a recount.

A man dressed as a clown and reportedly brandishing a machete has been arrested.

A 20-year-old man appeared in Dunedin District Court this morning following a police pursuit from Nelson to Waikouaiti yesterday.

Sparks were flying off a freight train moments before a wagon derailed, partially blocking SH1 in Clinton, a witness says.

'Why don't they shoot the bloody thing?' asks angry Oamaru resident.

Former Whanganui mayor Michael Laws has won a seat Otago Regional Council by five votes.

The house has about 10 rooms and residents were told by police to come down to the front yard.

Queenstown novice Dan Ahwa experiences the resort town's extreme, adrenaline-fuelled activities for the first time.

Massey University released its quarterly Home Affordability Report index today.

The mother of missing South Island teen Yuri Santana says her heart is "bleeding" for the 17-year-old.

Cell-tower data presented to a Dunedin court has raised questions over the location of a 21-year-old cleaner accused at the time of an alleged murder.

Otago's dreamland is best seen without the summer crowds, writes Mike Yardley.

Police executing a search warrant this morning discovered more than 40 cannabis plants and a large amount of methamphetamine items.

Samples taken from clippings of victim's fingernails detected DNA 430 times more likely to have come from the accused, court hears.

There are concerns for 17-year-old Yuri Santana, who hasn't been seen for a week.

Levels of arsenic higher than the acceptable level for drinking water have been found in the Hawea Flat Kindergarten's supply.

The Kurow community has lost a second sportsman in tragic circumstances within 17 months.

Sales on the first charter flight from Dunedin to see the aurora australis are taking off and the trip's organiser is considering making the flight an annual event.