Timaru's Chris West and co-driver Erin Kyle hold a 30-second lead after eight special stages in Rally Wairarapa today.

Two police officers are in Masterton Hospital with minor injuries after their vehicle crashed into a power pole this afternoon.

Raybon Kan returns to the stage for a show about laziness - and why it has been a leading force in human affairs, writes Barney McDonald.

An apprentice mechanic whose dream car was torched in Masterton on Saturday has been swamped with offers of parts from all around the country.

Tropical cyclone Bune, which is heading for Raoul Island, about 1100km northeast of New Zealand, weakened slightly this afternoon to a strong category 2. It may cause dangerous rips and surf along the east coast next week.

A $200 bottle of Martinborough pinot noir was crowned the finest at a tasting in California, ahead of renowned wines from around the world.

When this variety is doing its job well it can transport you to a different place.

The police officer who misled officials over the number of unresolved child abuse cases in the Wairarapa has since been promoted.

The IPCA has released the second part of its report into the handling of child abuse cases by police.

While summer continues to roll on, the fashionable tipple should still be rosé. No one is quite sure what is behind the rise and rise of this previously lowly ranked style, but it's popping up all over the place.