APNZ

The initial skirmish came on March 1, three weeks before test cricket signed off its programme at the same Eden Park venue. Summer was rolling along as the Blues hosted the Crusaders and gave them a decent 34-15 clout.

Returning the Government's books to surplus by 2014/15 gives business a lot of confidence, the Employers and Manufacturers Association says.

Steven Joyce says only overseas-based residents who deliberately default on their student loan repayments will be arrested at the border.

The manufacturer of the controversial synthetic cannabis product K2 has decided to stop supplying the drug in New Zealand until new regulations are imposed, an industry spokesman says.

Deep within the Government's Budget can be found mysterious references to "black hole expenditure" and "thin capitalisation rules".

The financial markets were underwhelmed by the Government's Budget, although a $3 billion cut in its borrowing requirement over next two years came as some surprise to many.

Cash-strapped Solid Energy is paying more than $25,000 a week to lease its palatial Christchurch head office, variously dubbed 'The Palace' and 'The Grandstand'.

Chasing the call of the rare kokako could have landed a missing Buller man in trouble.

Women battling the bulge may be fighting more than just sweet temptation, according to new research showing a fat gene could be to blame.

Customs officers are frustrated they are being forced to return harmful drugs into the community because they have a slightly altered molecular structure to the illegal substances the drugs are derived from.