A diver failed to resurface after going underwater north of Kawau Island and has not been seen for several hours.

A couple were forced to spend a 'tough' night out in the open after abandoning their boat in rough seas off southern Fiordland.

A climber is reported to have been killed and a paraglider has spinal injuries after accidents on two South Island mountains today.

Hope is fading for 17 missing fishermen after a South Korean trawler sank in the Southern Ocean, claiming at least five other lives.

The search for 17 people missing after a Korean fishing vessel sank in the Southern Ocean early today has been scaled down as it becomes increasingly unlikely further survivors will be found.

Five people are dead and 17 missing after a Korean fishing vessel sank in the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean, 2700km south east of Bluff, early this morning.

A seven-year-old girl who went missing in Palmerston North last night has been found safe and well, police say.

Pike River Coal will have to reduce its workforce when it is ready to re-establish operations, but CEO Peter Whittall says reports of possible receivership were "extremely premature".

The bodies of two kayakers were found on Lake Wakatipu this morning.

An Australian-based online mining journal today called for NZ police to be blocked from controlling mine rescues.