Latest from Horowhenua

The 'sobering' report on Māori kids in the system: ‘My dreams will come true...even if it takes a while’
The “oranga tamariki system” includes Oranga Tamariki, police and several ministries.

From motel owner to mayoral candidate: Steve Gibson vows to curb Hastings rate rises
One woman he visited in Hastings 'burst into tears' over how hard it was to pay.

Wellington leads in income, South Island shines in low unemployment
Wellington now ranks high in housing affordability due to falling prices.

What you need to know about the new Manawatū Tararua Highway
Locals got a test drive over the new highway over the southern Ruahine Range.

Child predator was fresh out of prison when he struck again, targeting 10 girls
Karl Salmon has a history of child sex offending. He now faces an indefinite prison term.

Multiple 'Levin invasion' boy racer cars listed for sale - with a catch
Buyers could score a deal on a car, if they're willing to wait for it to be released.

School's shearing and woolhandling contest a hit
The school held its own version of the iconic Golden Shears championships.

Thunderstorm warnings across top half of North Island as heavy rain lashes Akl
Warnings of localised flooding, severe gales, waves reaching 6.5 metres and snow.

Teacher denied request to 'retire with dignity' after having sex with student
The woman was more recently teaching at one of the country's top private girls' schools.

On The Up: How a family-owned Kiwi firm quietly conquered the cleaning market
Barry Robertson, founder of Quantum Pacific, shared his father still works on the floor.

Person seriously injured in rural Manawatū animal attack
The animal involved in the attack has been destroyed.

'Try-hard idiots': Police Minister blasts ‘cowardly’ boy racers ahead of Tauranga 'invasion'
Police expect more 'anti-social road user gatherings' this weekend.

'Dangerous and stupid': Levin boy racers run over woman’s legs, set diesel alight on street
Police condemn behaviour as 'incredibly reckless' and vow to arrest all those involved.

Tina from Turners' new ad - fat-shaming complaints; RNZ trust targets 'too modest' - Govt
A small town's media stoush; Costly PR conference - the PR response; PRINZ Awards winners.

'Block the pigs': Police brace for boy racer 'invasion' a year on from Levin violence
The Police Minister, despite an event organiser's abuse, says his cops are ready to act.

Former doctor and TVNZ presenter fined for claiming HIV doesn’t exist
The tribunal would have cancelled her registration if it hadn’t already done so.

Warning to cancel club rugby games after referee stabbing threat
The Horowhenua-Kāpiti union will cancel senior club games if serious abuse continues.

'Overwhelming concern': 'Run it straight' final blocked from Auckland stadium
'This activity presented safety considerations that we could not overlook.'

'Misleading in the extreme': Former TVNZ presenter and doctor claims HIV doesn’t exist
Samantha Bailey also told people on YouTube that gonorrhoea was not sexually transmitted.

'Tragic news': RUNIT responds to teen's death in private 'run it straight' tackle game
The man suffered a serious head injury when tackled and later died in hospital.

Power shift: How Meridian's $186m battery will influence energy market
Meridian's Ruakākā Bess is NZ's first large-scale grid battery storage system.