Brazen but brainless thieves have risked their lives by breaking into a Manawatu wind farm switch yard in an apparent attempt to steal copper wire.

The 69-year-old pig hunter who went missing last night near Wanganui has been found safe and well.

The Green Party wants to bring our most elite troops home from Afghanistan following reports of links to the torture of prisoners.

A Horowhenua police officer collapsed and died following a routine police physical fitness test.

In a warehouse packed with dignitaries and military officers, mourners today heard how NZ had lost a fine young leader, 28-year-old Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell.

The death of Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell in Afghanistan was a tragedy on a number of levels, the Governor-General told the slain soldier's military funeral today.

Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell was described as a striking example of a young man with positive and irrepressible energy at his funeral today.

An earthquake has been felt in Palmerston North and other parts of the Manawatu as well as in northern Wairarapa and southern Hawkes Bay.

Thirty-four soldiers from just one army base have faced drinking-related court charges in the first six months of this year.

Hells Angels is returning to court to challenge Whanganui's anti-gang patch bylaw.

Police hunting the killer of Manawatu farmer Scott Guy are canvassing local farmers in the hope of uncovering information about firearm thefts.

Bridge swing operator Alistair McWhannell was today sentenced to 400 hours community service for the manslaughter of a student who fell to her death last year.

As detectives try to find dairy farmer Scott Guy's killer, his widow is in hiding in Hawkes Bay.

Police hunting the killer of farmer Scott Guy are frustrated with the lack of response to calls for information about two cars seen on the morning of his death.

There has been no suggestion that dairy farmer Scott Guy or his wife were followed in the weeks before his murder but investigators would be remiss not to consider the possibility, police said today.

Police have acquired video footage of murdered farmer Scott Guy's wife to determine if she was being followed in the weeks before her husband's death, the Herald has learned.

One plane landed safely after a mid-air collision in Feilding this afternoon, while the other crashed, killing the flying instructor and student occupants.