Coromandel & Hauraki news
'Basketball-sized rocks': SH25 reopens after slips cleared in Coromandel
A detour via the peninsula's east coast was the only route option for most of today.
Heavy rain moves north as wet weather system crosses New Zealand
MetService has issued heavy rain and strong wind watches for the middle of the country.
'Politics is costing lives': Top cop's plea for life-saving cancer drug
Experts say patients' lives are hinging on this month's Budget announcement.
Whitianga woman throws support behind Pink Ribbon Breakfast
Alana Baker hosted her first breakfast five years ago. She has since raised $30,000.
Auckland Zoo euthanises 'extraordinary' rare bird
Due to partial blindness and kidney failure, the bird was unsuitable for being released.
Seven dead on Waikato roads in April
The news comes as the provisional national road death toll for the month almost doubled.
Body found at Whangamatā Beach believed to be missing man
Police believe the body on the beach is Jarrod Kingi, missing since April 25.
'Very worried': Police search harbour area for man missing since Anzac Day
He left an address on Tobie Place around 11.15pm on Anzac Day.
Waikato news
'All sorts of destruction': Tornado strikes Hamilton, thunderstorms buffet upper north
Civil Defence warned Waikato weather remains 'highly dynamic'.
NZ's best-tasting tap water revealed
Professionals assess the water for colour, clarity, odour and taste.
Taupō's 'accidental art hero' on adventures around town - and further afield
Parts of the Taupō community seem to be starting to embrace Boom Boom the dinosaur.
Rural news
'Cat-shaped hole': Call to include feral cats in predator strategy
Some groups warned of the need to draw a clear line between feral and domestic cats.
The Country: Miles Hurrell on Fonterra's milk price
Miles Hurrell, Ian Proudfoot, Matt Black, Chris Russell, and Hamish McKay.
$20m in one day: Homes for less than $700,000 selling 'like hotcakes'
Christchurch auctions proving resilient.
Kāinga Ora selling flood-damaged Auckland homes with huge discounts
"For the right price, everything sells," says agent.
More local news
The NZ beach named among the world's 50 best for 2025
Three Australian beaches made the list this year but the Coromandel spot is NZ's only one.
'Thunderstorms possible': Auckland faces threat of heavy rain as students return to school
A heavy rain watch is in place for Auckland and Great Barrier Island until 9am.
17-hr thunderstorm threat: North braces for 'dynamic' weather, new flood risk
Northland is also looking at a 19-hour rain alert that won't lapse until 3pm Sunday.
Honouring heroes: Search for B Company photos for museum exhibition
It comes as the B Company, 28th NZ (Māori) Battalion History Trust will be reviewed.
Warnings upgraded: 140km/h gales, torrential downpours to lash upper North Island for 41hrs
Thunderstorms, 180mm of rain from tonight in upper NI, tree and powerline damage likely.
Motorcyclist dies in Waihī crash, road reopens
Emergency services were called to a crash at Rosemont Rd and Consols St.