Gisborne, Dec 2 NZPA - A crowd gathered today at a small Eastern Bay of Plenty marae to celebrate one of their own, Frances Eivers, becoming a judge.

Auckland, Dec 2 NZPA - Suggestions a murder accused had been framed for the murder of a 14-year-old drug dealer "don't wash", a crown lawyer has told a High Court jury.

Auckland, Dec 2 NZPA - An Iraqi man was today sentenced to four years in prison for a series of violence offences against his partner and three children.The man, 42, was found guilty by a High Court jury in October

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) is to contribute $2 million toward protecting Long Bay Regional Park from the impact of development.

Auckland, Dec 2 NZPA - A truck driver thought a person being chased by an off-duty police officer had got clear of his vehicle when he was struck in a fatal collision, a High Court jury was told today.

Rainfall: Extremely dry in the northeast of the North Island, and eastern South Island. Record low rainfall in Northland, parts of Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Canterbury, Otago and inland Southland.

Computer Clubhouse 274 is celebrating three years of significant progress towards delivering broadband access and promoting digital fluency among young people and their families in Otara.

Plunket is welcoming Families Commission research that shows Kiwi fathers are keen to spend more time with their children.The research, from two reports, includes interviews with over 1700 men, including single fathers, step-fathers, teenage parents, and foster dads.

Christchurch East MP Lianne Dalziel is taking up a challenge issued by school support staff to "walk in their shoes" for the day.

Keeping dirt on hills and fertiliser out of water are the aims behind Horizons' move to enforce rules on aerial spraying of hill county land this summer.

at Mt Aspiring College on December 10, 2009 from 6:30 - 9:00 PM.

Today's decision by the Maori Party to allow Hone Harawira to remain within their caucus is a turnaround on the situation a fortnight ago.Back then, it seemed that Harawira's expulsion from the Maori Party caucas was inevitable. Now the party

The NZ Transport Agency Board has moved to future proof Auckland's transport needs by protecting the route for an additional harbour crossing and approving further funding to complete strengthening work on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Paula Bennett's pathetic mini backtrack on the Training Incentive Allowance also highlights the stupidity of the Government decision to remove the bonding obligations on Step Up Scholarship recipients, says Labour's Social Development spokesperson Annette King.

Young leaders from Burma, in New Zealand on a study and exchange programme, have completed a series of visits looking at Downtown Community Ministry services.Over the past month they have sat in on foodbank interviews and seen how the Street

New Zealand's next Ambassador to Germany will be career diplomat Peter Rider, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today.Mr Rider will also have responsibility for New Zealand's relations with Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, and Switzerland.

Seven of the ten new National Health Board (NHB) members announced today are doctors and nurses says Health Minister Tony Ryall.

A fully illustrated talk at Christchurch Art Gallery later this month will shed light on the rich and complex references in art from Japan's Edo period (1615-1867).

100 more schools around the country are set to receive ICT upgrades as part of the Government's commitment to high speed broadband in schools.

Melanie Cookson, Co-convenor of the Coalition of Community Law Centres believes Dame Margaret Bazely has got it right when she states in her report on Legal Aid that ``community law centres are too important to be allowed to fail or