A public swimming pool complex in Whangarei has been blessed by a kaumatua following the death of a man earlier today.

MetService warns those living in northern and eastern regions may be dodging showers.

GeoNet reported the earthquake hit just after 6.45pm with a depth of 25km. Its intensity was classified as light but likely felt.

The car flipped on State Highway 30 near Lake Rotoiti Forest.

A wet day is in store for much of the North Island today.

Much of Nasie Bayley's 19 years have been spent fighting for her life, against a condition so rare she is the only known sufferer in the world.

Up to 300 bee hives may have been poisoned in the Far North as soaring numbers of beekeepers chasing "liquid gold" ratchet up tensions in the industry.

Jetstar passengers stranded at Hawke's Bay Airport after flight leaves ahead of departure time.

We were asked to keep our heads down, follow the path and walk single file with no talking.

An iconic Mount Maunganui surf shop was saved from fire last night after a shed at a the rear of the property went up in flames overnight.

A yacht remains stranded on Wellington's South Coast after hitting rocks last night.

Parents of dead Te Puna mum say her name is "cleared" after coroner finds no evidence phone was factor in accident.

Police have found a car linked to teen's death and are talking to two young people as family prepare to farewell loved one.

Thief tries to hide his face from CCTV cameras as he crawls around a house stealing cash and jewellery.

Indecent acts committed by a prominent New Zealander against young girls were "brief, opportunistic and sneaky", court told.

Texting and driving played no part in the tragic death of Tracey O'Brien, despite her death prompting warnings not to use a phone while behind the wheel.

Students at Te Kuiti High School, where former student Ocean Heke attended, were visibly shaken this morning.

WATCH: Robert Russell was sheltering from the rain in the family hay shed when he heard sparks and electricity - and saw the shed had been struck by lightning.

Police have confirmed the stabbing took place in the South Auckland suburb at about 1am. Authorities are expected to release more information today.

A turf war has broken out at a much-loved Kiwi surf break over a camera broadcasting surf conditions.

A motorcyclist nabbed doing 132km/h on a rural stretch of road and found to have been drinking has led to another stern reminder from police to drive responsibly.

Police are shocked with the actions of a motorcyclist who sped through a stretch of road that only hours before had claimed the life of a man in a horror truck crash.

Police operation that seized drugs, cash, cars and jetskis in raids on properties linked to motorcycle gang also found a sizeable collection of Star Wars figures.

Nearly 20 people have been detained after a meth-ring was allegedly busted in a large scale police operation launched across New Zealand today.

A Tauranga mother is furious after a bus driver drove off and left her teenage son and a friend stranded after he was sick on the bus.

Northland police are searching an area of isolated bush looking for the body of a missing gang member.

Black smoke caused by fault in Marsden Point Oil Refinery is allowed under Refining NZ's resource consent.

School says ban will stay until there is certainty around new Health and Safety at Work Act comes into force.

Three vessels came to grief in bar crossings during Easter - leading a regional authority to warn that crossing bars is the most dangerous activity.

AMAZING PHOTOS: Boat engulfed and flipped over at the Coromandel's Tairua Bar.