Latest from Gisborne District

Eight shearing gang members injured
Members of a shearing gang were injured this morning when the van they were in left the road and smashed into a tree.

Cyclist dies in Gisborne crash
Relatives of a cyclist killed in a crash this morning arrived at the scene.

More than 900 cannabis plants seized
Two houses were searched and a number of people were spoken to. No arrests have been made as yet.

Man seriously injured on fishing trawler
A man has been flown to hospital after being hit by a large fish bin onboard a fishing trawler north-east of Gisborne.

Archbishop Brown Turei's funeral tomorrow
Archbishop Brown Turei, one of the leaders of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia, will be remembered at a funeral tomorrow.

Elderly woman's bag stolen in church
An elderly Gisborne woman's handbag was stolen while she took holy communion at a city church on Sunday and other church parishioners have been warned about it.

Mahanga blaze: It's pretty insane
Firefighters are returning to the scene of a major scrub fire that gutted a house, destroyed a shed and forced the evacuation of baches and homes in the Hawke's Bay.

Kids responsible for large scrub fire
The three children aged five, eight and nine have been referred to Youth Aid.

Top DJs may battle to work with Shapeshifter
New Zealand crowds 'not as spoiled' as the rest of the world, say chart-toppers.

Teen hero runs to campground screams
A teen who ran to the aid of a woman being attacked at a campground on New Year's Day has described her screams as the "most horrific" thing he has ever heard.

Surf's up after showery day
Big swells predicted to surge up the eastern side of New Zealand from Kaikoura to north of Mahia Peninsula

'I held her hand until her last breath'
EXCLUSIVE: Family members recall how Leotisia Malakai - the third victim of a horrific bus crash near Gisborne - slipped into a coma and never woke up.

Bus crash: Head tutor sings before death
Leticia Malakai's death brings the holiday road toll to 19 - the highest since the 2011/2012 period.

NZ's first babies of 2017
As most Kiwis were partying to see the new year in, others were being born.

Drug bust at Rhythm & Vines festival
Eight people were arrested after a police raid of 12 tents at the Rhythm & Vines music festival at Gisborne yesterday.

Rain set to dampen New Year spirits
The MetService is forecasting rain for much of New Zealand today, perhaps ruining plans for post-party barbecues and sunbathing.

Kiwis party in a bright New Year
Revellers packed out bars and party-hot spots the length of the country last night to welcome in 2017. Fine weather in most of the

Rhythm and Vines crowd: 'We're here for the vibes'
American hip hop artist Chance the Rapper wooed a capacity crowd on the first day of Rhythm and Vines, telling the crowd he would move to NZ.

'Aotearoa two' remembered in Tongan service
Sombre music rang out as the band opened the service with a tribute to Sione Taumalolo, 11, and Talita Moimoi Fifita, 33, killed in the bus crash.

Road toll rises after motorcyclist dies
Road toll now equal to last summer's following death of motorcyclist.

Gisborne crash: Tongan band play tribute
The Tongan brass brand which lost two members in a Christmas Eve bus crash performed a tribute concert tonight as the holiday road toll climbed to 11.

Bus survivors to perform tribute concert
Survivors of the deadly Christmas Eve bus crash in Gisborne will perform a tribute concert today - the same day the bus was recovered from the scene.

Airline offers free flights for Tongan band
The surviving members of the Tongan band involved in last week's bus crash will fly to Auckland tomorrow, courtesy of Air New Zealand.

More than $30,000 raised for Tongan brass band
Fund will help the people injured in Gisborne bus crash.

Holiday road toll rises to eight
A teen killed alongside two young friends in a "preventable" early morning crash has been remembered in an emotional tribute urging other drivers to take care.

'He always put everybody before himself'
The 11-year-old boy who died in the Christmas Eve bus crash was "quiet, kind and smiley" his sister says.

Fatal bus crash investigation continuing
State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Wairoa will be closed at some point over the next two days to investigate at fatal bus crash.

Victim's husband: 'No words can explain it'
Her smile always made him happy, says the widower of Gisborne bus crash victim.

Fine Boxing Day weather in store
Don't let the morning cloud fool you - it is set to be a fine Boxing Day for New Zealanders, with Central Otago tipped as the best place to be.