A teenager on home detention chased a police officer with a nailgun in the Otago town of Cromwell early this morning, before crashing during a police pursuit.

The convicted violent criminal who lived in Government minister Paula Bennett's home is out of prison - and has been kicked out of the country.

Convicted double-murderer David Tamihere - who killed two Swedish tourists in 1990 - has had his first proper taste of freedom in 21 years.

Forty-three of NZ's most dangerous criminals have been convicted of serious violent offences committed while they were already on parole.

A 19-year-old has been sentenced to two years jail for the manslaughter of a mother of three who was burned to death in her south Auckland home.

A stabbing victim is leaving the country and fears for his life because his attacker is about to be released from prison without having done any rehabilitation programme.

The country's youngest convicted killer is the subject of a new police complaint, accused of indecently assaulting two female journalists.

A former ASB investment adviser who stole nearly $18 million is likely to repay just $3m to $5m to the bank.

The teen convicted of helping a friend take his life wants to meet his dead mate's mother to apologise.