A southerly blast is headed for the lower South Island tonight, with showers and storms predicted elsewhere around the country.

Five people have been admitted to hospital following two separate crashes in the lower North Island overnight.

Further flooding is possible for the South Island's sodden Waitaki district, where 1000 people remain without drinking water.

Horseplay at Wharekauhau is a breathtaking affair, says Diana Balham.

A damning report into police handling of child abuse cases shows at least one district prioritised traffic fines over abuse investigations.

In defensive mode over National's Maori policy agenda, John Key says separatism has no place in New Zealand.

Fatherhood can be the key to transforming anti-social young men into responsible citizens, according to new research.

Severe gales powerful enough to damage trees and power lines are set to lash the east coast of the South Island and the parts of the North Island.

A 4-year-old killed in a crash may have survived if the family dog had not been sitting on the seatbelt the boy should have had on, a coroner has found.

Sir Peter Jackson has raised the ire of neighbours by starting work on a second lake at his fairytale Wairarapa estate.

A severe weather warning has been issued for the South Island after gales battered Wellington today.

Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.