Northland

Trains are returning to the Northland railway line after it was closed for 20 months to rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary Floods.

Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones said someone should be held accountable, but locals just want an apology and to be sure it won't happen again. Audio

Northlanders affected by the toppling of a power pylon that caused widespread power outage still question the issue of compensation.

Staff had raised concerns about training in 2021.

William Stephen Easton, 79, was remanded in custody where he will await sentencing in December.

One careless reverse of the roller machine, and in an instant, Gabriel Ahnee Fa'amausili was gone forever.

The former deputy principal has been in jail since 2013 for offences against boys while he was a teacher at Pamapuria School, near Kaitāia.

An ambitious hapū-led project aims to restore ecosystems and eradicate pests across the vast, 600,000-hectare catchment of New Zealand's - and the Southern Hemisphere's - biggest harbour.

Police are urging early risers in the Whangārei suburb of Tikipunga to be extra vigilant after two more arson attacks on parked cars this week.

On any Far North community notice board there will be stories about roaming or aggressive dogs causing issues, the region's mayor says. Audio

The man demanded cash but took off with chocolate and lollies when the fog cannon activated, police say.

She was 35-year-old Jasmaine Corin Reihana of Paihia.

The man, 35, has been charged with burglary and firearms offences.

A proposed new pet bylaw would also bans roosters and pigs from urban areas.

The stranded whale was first reported to the Department of Conservation on Monday morning.

The dog owner's family said the animals were stolen while they were in Auckland getting cancer treatment. Audio