There was a large-scale response from fire crews around Auckland after smoke was detected in a downtown tower this evening.

Motorists are being diverted away from a section of State Highway 2 after a serious crash this afternoon.

Details of a house fire in Onehunga where a 6-year-old girl perished and her six siblings survived have been revealed by the Coroner.

A cyclist was injured this morning after being clipped by a van in Ponsonby.

A prison guard hospitalised after an attack at Paremoremo has been discharged.

A seriously injured person is trapped in an upside down people mover, the fire service says.

A truck carrying paint thinner, sulphuric acid and other dangerous chemicals, has rolled on State Highway Two.

A mental health advocacy group says the rise in 111 calls explains the extra training given to police communication centre staff.

Thousands have non-urgent surgery or appointments delayed

The fate of livestock trapped inside a cattle truck after it rolled on its side in Hunua, south of Auckland earlier today is unknown.

The women attending a girls' day out that ended with a fatal stabbing are "like sisters" and the woman now accused of murder was a gatecrasher, says the host.

Volunteer firefighter John Klaphake and his lawyer, Chris O’Connor, after the guilty verdict in the District Court at Wellington.

Rotorua Hospital is postponing elective surgery and most outpatient clinics during next week's junior doctors' strike - with planning

Police are appealing for information following a car fire in Wainuiomata this morning which left a man with serious injuries.

A boy has been rushed to hospital with serious burns from fireworks tonight.

Emergency services are heading to a crash in South Auckland near Auckland's Sylvia Park where a person is believed to be trapped.

A motorcyclist is in a serious condition after a crash in the Christchurch suburb of Cashmere.

State Highway 1 is now open again following a car crash on the Kapiti Coast this afternoon.

Whanganui senior firefighter Tanja Grunwald is off to the World Firefighter Combat Challenge in the United States. Made with funding from NZ on Air

Two teenagers snapped hanging their legs over the side of a multi-storey car park have been criticised for putting their lives at risk.

A truck and a motorbike have crashed in Auckland this evening.

Police are fearing for the safety of a 17-year-old Clandeboye local who has not been seen since 10am on Tuesday morning.

Monique Poirier, who is running for the Albert-Eden-Roskill local board, was walking past the local Countdown with former mayor Christine Fletcher when they saw a fight taking place around 6pm on Tuesday.

Kaine Johnston, 23, is remembered by his family as someone who could light up the room with his calming nature.

Police are seeking witnesses to a fatal crash where an elderly man was struck by a vehicle in Manurewa in mid-September.

A truck driver is being hailed as a "bloody hero" for managing to safely stop after his brakes failed as he drove up Queen St on Monday morning.

A Lower Hutt man has been arrested in connection with an assault which occurred last week in Stokes Valley. Hutt Valley Police arrested

The girl injured herself while tramping with her family at Upper Travers Hut late on Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters are battling a large house fire north of Auckland this evening.

An 11-year-old boy has been rushed to Dunedin hospital after falling almost four metres from a rope swing.