Latest from Palmerston North

Rugby: Donald, Muliaina to face Manawatu
First five Stephen Donald and fullback Mils Muliaina will carry Waikato's hopes on their shoulders against Manawatu on Thursday.

Truck driver impaled by canoe
A witness to the accident in which a truck driver was impaled by a canoe says it was "swinging out on to the oncoming lane like a jousting pole".

Lab workers' suspension 'intimidation', union says
The suspension of 15 striking laboratory workers in the North Island this morning was an attempt to intimidate them, their union says.

Rugby: Auckland claim bonus point win
Auckland scored 32 unanswered second half points to down Manawatu 32-6 in their ITM Cup match in Palmerston North tonight.

Motorsport: Hartley to race in GP2 at Monza
Brendon Hartley will race with Italian team Coloni Motorsport in the final two rounds of the GP2 series, which is regarded as the strongest Formula One feeder category.

Heavy rain forces road closures in North Island
Slips and surface flooding are causing havoc for motorists in the lower North Island as heavy rain and gale force winds sweep the region.

Gin's the boss
After a year of rock'n'roll adventures in the USA, Gin Wigmore returns to stake her claim in this year's New Zealand Music Awards and play a national tour. She talks to Scott Kara.

Elderly man killed by runaway truck
A runaway truck rolled down a hill and fatally pinned a 62-year-old against another truck in a tragedy that has shocked a small community.

IPCA clears police over motorcyclist's death during pursuit
Police have been cleared of any wrongdoing over the death of a 22-year-old motorcyclist after a pursuit last year, the IPCA has found.

Renewed calls to bring SAS home
The Green Party wants to bring our most elite troops home from Afghanistan following reports of links to the torture of prisoners.