APNZ

Prime Minister John Key said that modernising the IRD computer system as part of an efficiency drive in the public service could cost up to $1 billion.

The "tragic'' death of a Christchurch man who died when he lost control of his car while backing out of his garage could have been avoided had he been wearing a seatbelt, the coroner says.

Fonterra has recalled two of its butter products and is investigating, after two customers each found metal objects in their butter.

Valentine's Day will be wet for many today, with rainclouds forecast for most of New Zealand and thunderstorms for the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.

A high-flying real estate agent known as 'million-dollar-Marnie' has appeared before a disciplinary tribunal to defend claims of misconduct over a mansion in Auckland's eastern suburbs.

Almost 300 state house tenants - many of them elderly or in wheelchairs - cheered last night as speakers at a public meeting vowed to defy Housing New Zealand plans to clear them out of their Auckland homes for redevelopment.

Prime Minister John Key says the Government makes no apology for what promises to be a new drive for efficiencies in the public service.

A barrister fighting disciplinary charges can now be identified after the Supreme Court said it was "untenable'' that professional people with high public profiles should be given name suppression as of right.

The Law Commission has proposed ditching trials by a full jury of 12 in favour of trials by a judge and two semi-professional jurors to allow more evidence, such as previous convictions, to be used.

A woman is in critical condition in hospital after she was hit by a car while walking home last night.