A Christchurch musician has successfully had his conviction for assaulting his four-year-old son quashed by the Supreme Court.

The family of a woman killed when a suspected drink-driver drove into her picnic say they are devastated by the death of a loving, hard-working woman who "tried to get the most out of life".

A woman has died after being hit by a suspected drink-driver when she and a friend stopped for a roadside picnic yesterday.

A drink-driver lost control and hit two women who had stopped for a roadside picnic yesterday morning. Witnesses said the car's skid marks measured more than 100m.

Sequels to James Cameron's blockbuster film Avatar look set to be shot in Wellington, with the acclaimed director in talks with Weta Digital.

High visibility jackets should be mandatory for officers laying road spikes, a coroner says.

Contesting the Mana by-election will provide a clear alternative for voters and put pressure on the major party candidates to respond, says Unite Union leader Matt McCarten.

Veteran political organiser Matt McCarten has announced he will contest the Mana by-election.

Warner Brothers have confirmed that they are considering alternative locations in which to film the two Hobbit films.

The Government is leaving the door open to more tax incentives to keep the shooting of The Hobbit films in New Zealand.

Prime Minister John Key thinks The Hobbit movies can be saved and he is going to do his best to achieve that when Warner Brothers executives arrive next week.

The Arts Foundation's Simon Bowden says we can learn something from the US when it comes to cultural philanthropy.