The organisation behind the biggest-spending public servant says his $100 lunches were necessary.

Public servants have been told to cut back on expenses after some $875,000 was spent by chief executives between July 2008 and June 2010.

A man, believed to be wanted 32-year-old fugitive Daniel Vae, is one of two in custody after an armed police callout in the Auckland suburb of Glenfield today.

Two people have been charged with assault after a man was fatally struck by a car during a street brawl in south Auckland early this morning.

Five people were killed and two more are fighting for their lives after a string of road accidents yesterday.

Cold, icy conditions may have been a factor in a crash between a car and a truck between Waiouru and Rangipo this morning, which killed two men.

A driver racing the wrong way down a major motorway last night smashed into six cars, leaving survivors who couldn't believe they were alive.

A woman found slumped in the driver's seat after a crash which left eight people needing hospital treatment had a cellphone in her hand.

Increases in police staff and the number of officers on the streets over weekends are being credited with reducing crime in Counties-Manukau.

A formal police investigation is underway to determine if a man gunned down by police last night fired the first shot.