Poor-quality defence lawyers working out of their car boot and racking up legal aid bills are hurting Auckland's courts, a review finds.

Prison containers are for shifting goods, not housing people, says a leading penal reform advocate after today's announcement the units will be trialled at Rimutaka Prison from next March.

Student set upon with metal bars while walking home last year says she hopes her attackers learn a lesson in jail.

The man who helped negotiate the return of stolen war medals to Waiouru Museum has avoided his trial on drugs charges.

Experts say it will be very difficult for Bain to get compensation.

The man who negotiated the return of one of the stolen war medals says he should not spend any time in jail if convicted of methamphetamine charges.

A man found dead in a Northland ditch had been previously been jailed for armed robbery and was due in court next week for reoffending.

Freed murder accused David Bain flew out of New Zealand yesterday to find a new home overseas.