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.

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

Canterbury firefighters continue to battle two major fires in the region, but both blazes are under control.

A massive blaze has engulfed the hills above Waimate in south Canterbury and tonight continues to burn.

Stretched Canterbury firefighters are battling two large scrub fires, one in Rolleston and one in Waimate.

Firefighters are continuing to battle a 120 hectare scrub fire in Waimate, which has now spread into forest.

Santa Claus is coming to town - and the weather is looking fantastic for his long ride down from the North Pole.

The festive season is a time of excess. But as the country’s top traffic officer Paula Rose tells Alan Perrott, there is little cheer in counting its cost.

New Zealand's top winemakers will battle it out at the inaugural Riesling Challenge today.