Wellington, Nov 30 NZPA - A strong earthquake centred in the Hawke's Bay shook the lower North Island early this morning.The quake struck at 1.42am and was centred 10km west of Waipukurau at a depth of 70km.

Wellington, Nov 29 NZPA - Relatives of victims of the Mt Erebus air disaster will tomorrow place a wreath on the mountain where the plane crash happened -- if conditions allow them to fly there.Six people whose family members died

Police and Fire officers fought bravely to rescue a boy from a vehicle that crashed into the Whanganui River last night, but were tragically unable to save him.

The annual Farmers Santa Parade welcomed Father Christmas to town today to the glorious roars of the estimated 250,000-strong crowd of mums, dads and littlies.

Enhanced traffic controls will change the way many families make their pilgrimage to the Treaty Grounds next Waitangi Day. The Waitangi Day Governance Group has announced that parking in the Treaty Grounds will be permitted only in supervised areas and

Grace Lynley Walker (15 years old).Grace was last seen at her home address in ELLIOTT STREET, JOHNSONVILLE, WELLINGTON at 9pm on 22nd November 2009.Her hair is darker blonde than is shown in the photograph above.

Phil Goff tried to emulate Don Brash's infamous Orewa speech on race relations this week. While he pitched his comments very carefully, the 'wolf whistle' tone of it could not be mistaken.

Statement from the Maori PartySunday 29 November 2009; 1.30pmProfessor Whatarangi Winiata, Party President

Wellington, Nov 29 NZPA - A high-profile businesswoman is fighting to keep her identity secret after admitting she supplied the drug P to her dying ex-husband.

Wellington, Nov 29 NZPA - The Ministry of Justice has appointed a top lawyer to re-interview some key witnesses in the case of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope.

Wellington, Nov 29 NZPA - A man blatantly lied to his girlfriend about having HIV, even after she found out she had been infected, a judge said in sentencing the man to a prison sentence.

Just one week after a $6 million prize was won by family syndicate from Lynfield in Auckland, Powerball has been struck again, this time a $3 million prize sold in North Shore City, says NZ Lotteries' Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.