The Government is contributing almost $600,000 to establish a science academy at the University of Otago.

Queenstown's three mayoral candidates are unimpressed with the council's projected debt level of more than $400 million in the next nine years and say a harder line needs to be taken on spending.

An alleged home invasion and attempted rape of a Kawerau teenager last month never happened, police say.

Concerns global milk production could be hit by a low European grain harvest helped send dairy prices soaring 16.9% at Fonterra's globalDairyTrade internet auction on Wednesday.

Prime Minister John Key is downplaying comments from Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson that opponents to land sales to foreigners were sometimes being racist, saying it was a case of humour backfiring.

Allied Farmers managing director Rob Alloway will be stepping down from his current role in December.

Former policeman Des Campbell has been jailed for at least 24 years for murdering his new wife by pushing her off a cliff.

Samsung has unveiled a new tablet PC named Galaxy Tab as the latest device meant to rival Apple's popular iPad.

There is no questioning Reubyn Bisschops' devotion to multisport.