National

Earthquake Commission chief executive Ian Simpson, who led the organisation through the aftermath of Canterbury earthquakes, has quit the role.

New Zealand has some of the cleanest and safest air on the planet, a new World Health Organisation (WHO) report suggests.

A ``reckless'' Auckland lawyer who instructed a client to pay $50,000 in fees into his personal account and earned interest on it for six weeks has been found guilty of misconduct.

Rugby player Losi Filipo, controversially discharged without conviction for assaulting four people, had a "pretty challenging" upbringing and is "hugely apologetic", the Players' Association says.

Former NZ leader Helen Clark is losing support in her historic bid to become the first woman to head the UN, but has no plans to quit the race.

A junior Navy officer who alleges she was sexually violated by a superior says she was in too much shock to scream for help.

Police are investigating the alleged sexual assault of a woman near Waikato Hospital in Hamilton, early Monday morning.

Protesters are targeting a Lions' match this Friday over Wellington Rugby's decision to keep a contracted player acquitted of a violent attack.

Data shows a paper asking students to respond to "unfamiliar texts" was the most unpopular of all three English exams on offer at NCEA Level 2 last year, even among high-achieving kids.

Some rich and powerful Aucklanders are ducking for cover and seeking legal advice, worried they are linked to an alleged celebrity cocaine drug ring.