Two South Island teens stole firearms and several cars - including a Jaguar - in a 24-hour crime spree that finally came to an end when they were arrested in Nelson this afternoon.

Farmers, foresters and others questioned the integrity of the Kyoto Protocol and the theory of global warming at an ETS meeting in Blenheim.

The Govt is considering taking over Safe Air in Blenheim so the air force can finish having its five C-130 Hercules upgraded.

Penelope Rae Phillips - the grandmother who died after being hit by a driver who allegedly took off from a police checkpoint - arrived at her funeral in her monster truck.

A woman who allegedly killed a grandmother after speeding from a police checkpoint had drunk about four vodka energy drinks over two hours, her father has said.

The decision to acquit the Waihopai saboteurs surprised Prime Minister John Key who is not ruling out a law change.

The oldest son of a mother-of-five killed by a woman fleeing a police check point says it's time to crush drink-drivers' cars.

Blenheim police say a suspected drunk driver who killed another motorist after crashing last night was not being chased.

An American security expert says that the trio who attacked the Government spy base in Blenheim committed an act akin to protecting al Qaeda and the Taleban.

No defendant is likely to succeed with a "greater good" defence again, following the publicity surrounding the spy base case, a law expert says.

Other defendants may consider using the same "greater good" defence as three activists who damaged the Waihopai spy base, a legal expert says.

Fire crews are continuing to put out hot spots after a forest blaze forced the evacuation of more than 30 people.