Some people posted on social media about seeing the sky light up, while others described the light as being green in colour.

In 2015, the first year of a three-year survey 33 blue whales were sighted in the South Taranaki Bight, this year there were 68 different individuals.

A well-educated father went from a "gentle giant" to a killer.

Greenpeace and KASM give evidence about the potential impacts on marine mammals at the EPA seabed mining hearing in Wellington. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Greenpeace and KASM give evidence about the potential impacts on marine mammals at the EPA seabed mining hearing in Wellington. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Engineer jailed after placing toddler face down on pillow, after she kicked off blanket.

One person died while another was airlifted to hospital after a two-car crash on State Highway 3, Awakino.

New Plymouth's Len Lye Centre is struggling to pay its bills, with some sculptures broken and unable to be repaired.

Trans-Tasman Resources gave evidence today at the hearing which will determine whether or not they will get marine consents to mine iron ore off the coast of South Taranaki. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Trans-Tasman Resources is proposing to mine 50 million tonnes of iron ore per year off the coast of Patea in south Taranaki. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Trans-Tasman Resources is proposing to mine 50 million tonnes of iron ore per year off the coast of Patea in south Taranaki. Made with funding from NZ On AIr.

11 year old Renee Eagar is about to undergo brain surgery in the US state of Texas, which surgeons hope will allieviate seizures and fits of rage caused by a rare tumour. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

11 year old Renee Eager is about to undergo brain surgery in the US state of Texas, which surgeons hope will allieviate seizures and fits of rage caused by a rare tumour. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet has described the moment he captured the Taranaki volcano from aboard the International Space Station.

After the passing of his father Ian Harrison, Kim is auctioning off almost his entire vintage tractor collection. Made with funding from NZ On Air

After the passing of his father Ian, Kim Harrison is auctioning off almost his entire vintage tractor collection. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

In a separate incident, a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a quad bike accident.

One person has been injured after the car they were in drove off the road and into a swamp in Taranaki. The car, which was travelling

It could be a call centre anywhere in the world, but Connect Global is based in the small South Taranaki settlement of Waverley. It provides desperately needed jobs for ten locals. Made with funding from NZ On Air

Too little "huff and puff" and too much screen time, childhood obesity study finds.

15-year old Phoebe Jury has a talent for handling miniature horses. She has just been selected to be part of the New Zealand youth team, to go to Australia in April. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Search teams elated as DOC worker stumbles across missing tourist.

A German woman missing on Mt Taranaki since Monday is now being assessed by paramedics.

A man has died in one of two serious truck crashes that have closed roads in Timaru and Taranaki this morning.

Troubled schools: A school where teachers were allegedly given "illegal" payments is one of nine under Government control.

Former pharmacist loses registration after being convicted on child pornography charges.

Missing man was "always pushing the limits", says shocked friend.

The family of a man missing at sea after the inflatable boat he was on capsized, say they are in limbo as they wait - and hope - to get him back.

Police have named the teenager who drowned in a Taranaki river yesterday.

Police have located the body of a man who was swept away while crossing Waiwhakaiho River near New Plymouth this afternoon.