Strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity - fire risk very high.

Four rural crews, two helicopters and 30 firefighters are now battling the blaze.

The scrub fire near Cape Palliser lighthouse started on Monday evening.

Homes in Carterton, Masterton, and South Wairarapa have seen another giant leap in value.

The crash was reported at around 6.55 and was blocking the northbound lane.

Searcher says everyone boating on the sea should have an emergency locator beacon.

A $1 million tree pruning project aims to create long-term employment in Wairarapa.

Tip to the MPI poacher line saw 127 undersize pāua and 13 undersize rock lobster seized.

It's good news if you like sunshine.

Bailey was brought to the Wairarapa coastline to find pest cordgrass, or spartina anglica.

GeoNet reported the quake was magnitude 4.1, hitting 30km northwest of Levin.

"We're all offering competitive wages for Wairarapa ... but you still can't attract them."

The official search for Koyren Campbell has been called off - but volunteers press on.

Teachers aim to lift students' aspirations above mere grades.

"It could have been a fatality ... His head was right where that big imprint is."

His family have described him as 'young man who made the most of every day'.

A small earthquake was felt in the Lower North Island on Friday morning.

The navy has now joined in search efforts.

The Whareama house owner rushed to a nearby church to call 111 after finding it on fire.

A UN special rapporteur says water should not be treated as a traded commodity.

A front making its way up the country is expected to peter out as it moves north.

A demerit system approach is 'trying to simplify something that isn't simple', he said.

The farm's current owner found it in her vegetable garden while weeding her tomatoes.

Residents are being urged to curb water use as the dry season looms.

The 'boss-like' bird was the first white kiwi hatched in captivity in the world.

Every week, four people go into cardiac arrest in the Wellington and Wairarapa regions.

The 78-year-old has a month to vacate her property and nowhere to go.

A local embalmer says most people have no idea about the funeral process.

The family have been supported with temporary housing, food and clothing.

The rescue helicopter was needed twice on New Year's Eve.