A man claiming to have been kidnapped by a judge kicked down his cell door before police pepper-sprayed him.

The victim collapsed in a pool of his own blood and was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition where surgeons worked to save his limb.

Astonishing link uncovered between Kiwi soldier who died in Gallipoli and bloodied Turkish family heirloom.

Scott K MacLeod spends three days shivering and hobbling his way along the Motatapu Track.

The financial cost of smoking couldn't be more stark in this image posted online.

The pair, who have had troubled upbringings, have been ordered to stay away from each other for two years.

Glass bottled, pasteurised full-cream milk "straight from the vat" is making a comeback.

A tree has fallen and power lines are down on Queenstown-Glenorchy Rd, leaving the road blocked in both directions.

A 2am Tinder rendezvous has led to a Dunedin woman being jailed on harassment charges, a court has heard.

A Central Otago man who sexually abused two female relatives for more than seven years, bribing them with lollies, has been jailed for nearly eight years.

The Omarama farmer whose pivot irrigators' tyres were slashed at the weekend says he remains hopeful the culprit will be caught. The

Clues left by an anonymous benefactor had hundreds of people searching for cash hidden in a secret Dunedin location.

A woman who accused her ex-girlfriend of attacking her might end up in the dock herself after admitting she lied to police.

Police are investigating an attack on three pivot irrigators near Omarama.

Two off-duty life-savers jumped in Otago Harbour after coming across sunken ute

Wild weather threatens to dampen the wedding of the year in Wanaka, with gusty winds and rain forecast.

Pulse-oximetry is a quick, painless and safe test for oxygen levels in the blood

Police are confident a white van seen in the area did not cause the blaze. They are now looking for a dark coloured station wagon.

A huge scrub fire that has destroyed 150ha near Queenstown is now under control but it's still going to take days to put out as police investigate the cause.

Newest addition to Otago's Hector's dolphin population.

A "spectacular" multi-million dollar homestead on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and the foothills of the Remarkables has been donated to the University of Otago.

Police are warning Cromwell residents to stay inside after a ''spate'' of mini-tornadoes left a trail of damage.

Judge learns what emoji are when the subject comes up in court after a man sent a threatening message via social media.

A paraglider has hit powerlines on Coronet Peak this afternoon.

The fire that cut off a small community near Queenstown is now under police investigation.

Many women who do the recommended amount of exercise may be harming themselves by eating too little, a survey indicates.

Another twist in the marriage saga of the country's most famous glamour couple as the pair fly out of Queenstown.

The 2017 road toll already stands at nine.

Dr Brett Mullan of the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) explains our holiday season weather and warming world.

McCaw has been spotted out and about in Wanaka this afternoon - without a wedding band.