A short, sharp downpour has caused headaches on one central Auckland roadway, as a sub-tropical airflow makes its presence felt.

A Whanganui High School teacher has been charged with assaulting another staff member in a "serious incident" on Tuesday.

Hamilton authorities are on the hunt for an armed fugitive on the run with his toddler in tow.

Police are likely to tomorrow again door-knock neighbours of a Porirua woman subjected to a prolonged and horrific sexual assault in her home.

Wellington police are hunting a jewel thief who made off with two rings valued at more than $11,000.

Demolition of an Auckland building for a 46-level 150-unit apartment tower in the CBD has been stalled by a court order.

A Napier man is disgusted after being delivered someone else's medical documents, sparking an internal investigation by the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.

The first Rotorua mud festival will be held in December next year.

COMMENT: This week a student suggested her lecturer join her for sex in Bali. Jill Goldson explores when an offer for sex becomes harassment.

The yacht on which one sailor was killed and another lost at sea has arrived back in New Zealand under tow.

Roger Nathan is being hailed a hero for trying to save a man who got into trouble and died while diving on Sunday at Pourerere beach.

A man is in critical condition after he was thrown from his vehicle following a collision with a police car during a pursuit through Whangarei city streets.

An Auckland family reeled in more than they bargained for when they discovered they had a snake eel on the end of their fishing line.

Teacher censured for letter describing principal as "someone who discriminates".

The gateway to the Western Bays is sitting pretty, writes Elisabeth Easther.

A man who stole thousands of dollars from unattended wallets and shops on the North Shore will spend nine months in prison.

A hikoi of almost 1000 people arrived at Parihaka marae today, led by "recovering racist" and New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd.

Police are looking for a man in a white car over shooting of 17-year-old boy in Hamilton.

But Hawke's Bay Area Commander Inspector Tania Kura is likely to escape conviction.

A 17-year-old boy has been shot on a street in Hamilton, in what is now the third shooting incident on the same street in sixteen months.

Police are looking for Donald Adam Summer who went missing since yesterday morning. He is also known as Donald Adams or Don.

WATCH: The funeral of artist William Jameson was as big and well-sculpted as his artworks.

Unrepentant former Northland church leader has been jailed for 20 years for systematically grooming and sexually abusing a dozen girls for more than a decade.

A modest Whangarei bungalow has sold for $230,000 above its capital value - has the world gone mad?

More police dedicated to targeting drugs and organised criminal groups are needed to stem the flood of methamphetamine into Northland.

Building Minister Nick Smith says tighter rules for businesses which test for meth contamination will be in place by the end of the year.