One of NZ's most-notorious career criminals pulled in a six-figure income while in jail - then picked up legal aid as well.

The inmate charged with killing prison guard Jason Palmer has admitted his manslaughter.

A new prison to be built in South Auckland will bring $1.2bn in economic benefits over 30 years, Judith Collins says.

John Key has called anti-whaling protester Pete Bethune "downright ungrateful" after he slammed the Government.

A woman who supplied methadone to a teenager has been jailed for her "despicable act".

The NZ man jailed in the US, who kept his girlfriend's body on ice for a year, says being home in Queenstown is "like Mars".

A New Zealand man behind bars in Bali after allegedly being caught with 3.84 grams of cocaine does not have a criminal background and has never been to jail before, a relative says.

A NZ-born Australian faces up to 12 years in prison after police in Bali caught him with cocaine stuffed in his pockets.

Police have launched an investigation into the prison guards' union with a raid on the organisation's offices.

The safety benefits from banning lighters in prisons would outweigh threats of violence over the planned smoking ban, a prison guard says.