Ratepayers are footing a larger than expected bill for a West Auckland artificial turf after the theft of $155,000 from a sports club.

A now-disbarred lawyer accused of helping a property developer borrow millions of dollars from a finance company cannot argue he was an innocent agent, says the Crown in its closing submissions.

Three men armed with a firearm and a knife robbed a Hamilton TAB last night, police say.

Thieves carried out a jewellery store smash-and-grab on the royal tour route just hours before yesterday's parade.

A 21-year-old Syrian man pushed an elderly woman to the ground and stole money he had seen her win from a pokies machine earlier that night, a court has heard.

A burglar nicknamed "Spiderman" for his acrobatic break-ins to the homes of Australia's super-rich cut his teeth robbing affluent New Zealand properties from a young age, police say.

Gun owners are being warned to upgrade from unsecure wooden cabinets following a recent burglary of a Coromandel home in which several firearms were taken.

A woman who defrauded ACC of more than $200,000 has been sentenced to 11 months' home detention, the corporation says.

A retired US police officer has offered a reward for his memory card to be returned after his camera was stolen in Taupo.

A teenager who blamed legal highs for a mini crime spree was today jailed for six months so he could go cold turkey before starting a rehabilitation programme.

One of the victims of a 'highly trusted' farm manager jailed for stealing $335k of stock and farm items says he couldn't have acted alone.

Defence denies former mayor helped form a plan to solicit funds in contravention of Belgrave Finance's trust deed.

A former mayor and lawyer is accused of helping a property developer hide his identity so he could borrow millions from a failed finance company.

The Ashleys have five security cameras surrounding their home, an alarm, and dead bolts on the doors. But they've still been burgled four times in 18 months.

Sarah Lukins captured all of her baby's first milestones on camera but those images are gone after her car was broken into while she was at her grandmother's grave.

An outbreak of card skimming has hit Auckland, with a number of ASB customers having their cards copied and accessed from Britain.

Thieves have been caught on camera jumping into the front yard of former All Black Marc Ellis and stealing his children's bicycles.

New dad Nathan Thompson was a nervous wreck when he walked out of hospital. A twisted umbilical cord had almost killed both his partner and his unborn son.

Jetstar was forced to check its aircraft for missing lifejackets over the weekend, after some were spotted being worn by a group of fans at the Wellington Sevens.

The era of the self-scanning checkout could be slowly coming to an end, at least for some Waitrose customers in Britain.

One of New Zealand's most decorated women's rugby players is hoping that the "eyes and ears of the rugby community" can help her retrieve a treasure trove of stolen memorabilia.

Former Black Fern Rochelle Martin has pleaded for the return of precious rugby mementos stolen from her Auckland home.

Robberies have increased in central city parks, prompting Auckland police to issue a tough message to offenders - you will be caught.

Two thieves have stolen thousands of dollars worth of groceries from supermarkets and shops across Auckland by filling trolleys and running out of the store.

Cheeky visitors walking away from the Hillary Trail have been taking their very own keepsake to remember the great man.