The Porirua community is rallying around their local Santa after his sack was stolen just weeks before Christmas.

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested over a string of aggravated robberies in Porirua that took place more than a year ago.

A man who pulled a gun on a police officer remains on the run.

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to 11 years and six months jail after "exceptionally cruel offending".

A man guilty of a shocking sex attack will today learn if he faces preventive detention.

A free service has been set up to ease the Christmas shopping horror.

A former Labour member spurned for being "right wing" by Labour leader Andrew Little has signed up with National.

Wellington Police have arrested seven people over a city-based methamphetamine dealing syndicate.

Wellington and Kapiti drivers should expect delays due to ongoing repairs and clean-up from slips and flooding, the NZTA warns.

The Prime Minister's bodyguards directed traffic around a high rise close to collapse, slips caused traffic chaos and homes were evacuated in capital.

Traffic leaving central Wellington is gridlocked as commuters scramble to leave the rain-battered city.

A number of schools have been closed due to flooding, affecting some students due to sit exams after afternoon.

A string of motorists is stranded on State Highway 2 as authorities across the Wellington region prepare for evacuations.

Two men have appeared in court in relation to a string of aggravated robberies in Porirua. A 42-year old man appeared in the Porirua

A Massey University lecturer has been sentenced on a charge of dangerous driving causing injury.

Despite feeding her family on a tight budget, this Porirua mum is changing lives with her food parcel initiative.

Kathryn Nevatt held her breath for seven minutes and 45 seconds while floating face down in Porirua pool, setting a new national record.

A man's held up a dairy in Porirua with a sawn-off rifle, before making off with some money.

After Warriena Wright's death at the foot of Gable Tostee's apartment building, people on both sides of the Tasman asked why and how she got there.

Unlocked vehicles parked in driveways and open garages and sheds have repeatedly been targeted in Porirua and Kapiti, say police.

Watch NZH Focus: NZ police are urging calm over creepy clown sightings as a sociologist explains the "social panic" that can give rise to such epidemics.

Three boys were playing basketball at a school last night when they saw a man lurking behind a building.

Health authorities are considering plans to move mental health patient Ashley Peacock, to the dismay of his parents.

Marae, women's refuges and other social agencies have won funding to house 3000 homeless families and individuals a year in the latest

Emergency services are waiting for a power authority to arrive before they can rescue a person from a car that crashed into a pole in Porirua.

Think you have bad neighbours? This woman got an anonymous note about out two 'shabby' cars in her driveway.

A worker was stabbed in the neck during a robbery at a Porirua business tonight.

Roads are closed north of Wellington due to waves from a Porirua inlet lapping at the road.

Kids will miss out on a swim over the last weekend of the school holidays after a crypto outbreak.