One person has died, thousands are without power and evacuation warnings have been issued while multiple scrub fires burn, as severe winds buffet parts of NZ.
Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has hit back at the allegations of "major overspending" from her own party, insisting her electorate budget has never been overspent.
The new Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act - in force from this weekend - has been watered down and politicised, a recreational fishing advocacy group says.
A Christchurch cyclist who was badly injured and "left for dead" in a violent hit-and-run is calling for better behaviour from drivers, urging them to share the road with bikes.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston says the two new sanctions being introduced for beneficiaries are practical and will help improve their chances of finding a job.