Maori told the parliamentary tobacco inquiry today that their marae were being undermined by tobacco smoking and associated early death.

Rain eased in Gisborne overnight and surrounding roads reopened after flooding and slips caused evacuations.

Another former Rotorua police officer is to go on trial after being charged with sexual assault.

Musician Wyclef Jean has cancelled his performance at Raggamuffin 2010 in Rotorua on Saturday.