nzherald.co.nz

'We are stronger than this evil criminal act." That was the message delivered to shocked Victorians after a rampage that left four people dead in Melbourne.

The summer "bomb low" is expected to continue to bring wild weather to the country today.

A new report has revealed some of the bizarre reasons travellers have given for visiting New Zealand that didn't fly with border control.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are hitting the West Coast in the latest wild weather to hit the country.

The suicide rate among young Kiwi men aged 20 to 24 in recent years was double the rate of Australian men of the same age group, a study has found.

Kiwi yachtie Alan Langdon says Australia was the "best target" after a broken rudder sent his catamaran off course.

Alan Langdon, 49, and his daughter, Que, 6, haven't been seen or heard from since they sailed from Kawhia Harbour 11 days ago.

NZ Post pays out hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash compensation each year to customers whose mail goes missing.

A pregnant Auckland woman is set to become the first Kiwi to have in-utero surgery to reduce the severity of spina bifida in her child.

Lance Armstrong has arrived in New Zealand, touching down in Auckland early this morning.

The devastated mother of Lois Tolley who was murdered in Upper Hutt says her daughter was a "very caring person who loved life".

Fisherman Fred Marsters who died in the Kaipara tragedy has been remembered for his passion, enthusiasm and love for life.

The boat which is believed to have capsized near the treacherous Kaipara Harbour bar killing at least seven crossed the bar in "scary" conditions the day before.

A junior naval sailor allegedly left a trail of blood, his wallet including Navy ID, and a Chicago Bulls hat when he broke into a US Navy house while stationed in Pearl Harbour.

Prime Minister John Key said several world leaders had contacted him about the earthquakes, including an attempt by US President-elect Donald Trump.

Ellie Otineru learned she was pregnant with her third child two weeks after her partner's sudden death.

Auckland woman Andie Page is designing custom-made pet pillows for animal-loving Kiwis.

An Auckland primary school is asking parents to fork out up to $100 for a transition-to-school programme for under 5s.

The Bay of Plenty woman has spent two decades advocating road safety.

Auckland wedding DJ Stephen Buckley said he occasionally saw people hurt themselves on the dance floor, fall off tables or crash into things.

Gendi, an Otago University student whose condition is more advanced than her brother's, is fundraising to go to America to see specialists.

Kiwi parents are getting behind a growing trend - using colourful knitted or crochet umbilical cord ties instead of medical clamps.

The mother of a 17-year-old boy who died after drinking heavily says she has no resentment towards his older friend who supplied him alcohol.

A former Rotorua man has spoken about surviving a random attack in Melbourne in which he was stabbed six times by his attacker.

The rugby star who was discharged without conviction for assaulting four people is "hugely apologetic".

News of rugby player Losi Filipo being discharged without conviction for the assault of four people has left victims horrified.

A victim of the horrific crash at Huntly and his Kiwi partner who survived the crash were "an example to most parents", their neighbour says.

A victim of the horrific crash at Huntly was First Violinist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

EXCLUSIVE: Some children are starting school without the ability to speak in sentences, sparking a government investigation.

An overhaul of family violence law which includes flagging all offences on criminal records and making victim safety the priority has been applauded.

MasterCard refuses to say how many people were affected by the error, which resulted in some customers being charged more than once for a single purchase.

Holland did a four-week introduction to mindful eating course run by Mindfulness Works.

Kiwi mum said she had no idea how affected her daughter was by a classmate's taunts until it was almost too late.

About $300 of firewood a Decile 2 Auckland school football team had planned to sell to pay for tournament fees has been stolen from the school's grounds.

NZH Focus: Pupil: "We measured how high she jumped - it was about three people, which must've been pretty scary to jump over."

The Czech tourist who watched her partner fall to his death on the Routeburn Track has been touched by tragedy in the mountains before.

David Rankin's version of events that he and Don Brash were threatened differs from TVNZ's head of news.

Auckland man Ishmael Musa has been acknowledged for spending more than a decade voluntarily cleaning the streets in his local community.

The Auckland Pistol Club fears it could face closure after a new neighbour made numerous noise complaints about the sound of firing weapons.

The Mental Health Foundation believes there is an "urgent need" to investigate why a significant number of young people aren't coping.

WATCH: New Zealand distance runner Nikki Hamblin's show of sportsmanship at the Olympics overnight was of no surprise to those who know her.

A recidivist sex offender has been jailed for six years for 10 counts of sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl he met through Tinder.

Rotorua teen Moana Matthews, 17, was an "amazing young girl" who had hoped to travel the world.

New Zealand last night hunkered down for the big chill - with rugby fans battling sub-zero temperatures at the Super Rugby final.

Knotting human and yak hair with a tiny crochet needle through holes almost invisible to the naked eye might sound like an odd job description.

The Chiefs have called upon NZ Rugby to escalate the investigation into the team's stripper scandal after allegations a second stripper was mistreated by players.

Thanks to a learning technique, 10-year-old autistic Becky can communicate her understanding of multiple subjects aimed at her age level.

Robert Redford says Tapanui taught him that New Zealand is a country with "a smile on its face".

Parents of a 14-year-old girl killed in a hit and run have spoken of their anguish that no one has been held accountable for their daughter's death.

A Maori warden who risked his own safety to assist a man who was shot at an Auckland train station credits a first aid course he did the day before the incident.

After his father's death in 2004, Poi E star Maaka Pohatu often felt down, struggled to sleep and overanalysed the smallest of interactions.

Thinking about getting a new family pet? Auckland SPCA is offering 50 dogs and puppies for adoption at half their normal price for the next two weeks.

Sam Olley, 21, didn't hesitate when her "young-at-heart" grandfather invited her on the Southeast Asia trip he'd hoped to share with his late wife.

Three Kiwis who are $13.3 million richer this morning have yet to come forward to claim their prize.

Conspiracy theorist David Icke is visiting Auckland for a one-off show.

Heading out on a Sunday cruise? Beware: police are increasingly ticketing slow and inconsiderate drivers.

Why Rania believed there should've been no excuses for the Sky Tower to be lit in the colours of the Iraqi flag to support the Baghdad bombing victims.

Participants in Lifewise's annual Big Sleepout, which raises awareness and money for homelessness, battled a night of extreme weather.

The families of the four young people who died in a horror crash near Hamilton are beginning to pay tribute to their loved ones.

Two young Germans have had an unhappy end to their NZ travel after their backpacks were stolen just hours before they were due to leave the country.

For 27-year-old Tessa Hopson, finding out medication may prevent breast cancer was "incredible".

Take the umbrella to work today: most of the country is expecting rain.

One of the country's most prestigious properties is believed to have sold - and now its luxurious interiors are up for grabs.

Three Royal New Zealand Navy staff have been stood down after the alleged use of illegal substances while on deployment overseas.

When Samson Faulafo and his friends pointed out to a family they'd dropped a $10 note at Denny's, they didn't expect anything in return.

A brick and tile unit has sold for more than $1 million - a new benchmark, according to a realtor.

Jessica Trotter was pregnant with her second child when she received the bad news.

Portaloos will be reinstated on the summit of Auckland's Mt Eden after two men were caught defecating in the bush within metres of the footpath.

The parents of a New Zealand man who had his testes removed after he died last month will oppose any attempt by their son's fiancee to use his sperm.

Cindy Waldron was snatched by predator while she went for late-night swim at remote Queensland beach.

The stormy weather which struck the bulk of the country yesterday should largely lift today but as the week progresses an icy blast will bring snow to both islands.

More heavy rain is expected over the North Island tonight, after a day of wild weather across the country.

Sweating and panting in full firefighter get-up, One News host Wendy Petrie climbed the 1103 stairs of Sky Tower to support her niece who is battling leukaemia.