Large nitrous oxide canisters will automatically be classed as psychoactive substances if they do not have a lawful use, with the government introducing measures to crack down on their misuse.

Businesses say the government's deal with Z Energy for an emergency diesel reserve is reassuring in case of supply disruption, but will not help with high prices.

Parents whose children played with asbestos contaminated sand are taking Kmart to the Disputes Tribunal and encouraging others to do the same.

After coming home to find their place ransacked, the Christchurch trio cracked out the old "good cop, bad cop" method.

A police investigation is under way after a baby suffered unexplained injuries at a property in Christchurch.

Police are continuing to search Christchurch's red zone for missing woman Rowena Walker.

New Zealand's free trade agreement with India is being billed as historic, as the world's most populous country has agreed to cut tariffs on a scale it rarely offers - particularly to an agricultural exporter like New Zealand.