A driver is being labelled by police as foolhardy for trying to take a bus full of tourists up reputedly the world's steepest street.

Cocker Happy? Yes they were. There cannot be anyone who does raw emotion like the lad from Sheffield - Joe Cocker.

There's plenty to do on and off a cruise ship, finds Shandelle Battersby, and the attentive staff make cruising even better.

Overseas tourists claimed $1 million from the ACC in the last financial year, but the payouts benefited New Zealanders, the organisation says.

A central Dunedin cafe could be closed for several weeks after parapets above it started collapsing this morning.

Roads and vehicles must be "more forgiving" to curb a road toll which averages more than one death a day, the AA says. Figures released by the Ministry of Transport today show 371 people died on the roads over the past year.

Men and women who are in relationships for longer than five years are less likely to be depressed, researchers have found.

New Year's Day is tipped to offer sunny weather for most of the country and some respite from the recent muggy, humid weather.

Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run in Manukau early today, which took the holiday road toll to two.

Rebecca Barry meets a group of New Zealanders for whom life means much more than material possessions.

When an aviation security officer drove a vehicle on to the active runway at Dunedin International Airport at night in heavy rain ahead of a landing aircraft, the consequences could have been disastrous.

A couple were forced to spend a 'tough' night out in the open after abandoning their boat in rough seas off southern Fiordland.