Ashburton's Harrison Doak was about eight when he started learning to play the bagpipes with his grandfather, the late Peter Doak, and at the time he said it felt like a chore.
A man who created fake social media accounts so he could contact young mothers went on to make disturbing comments about their children and posted images of himself dressed as a baby in soiled nappies.
A large Italian dog breed used to guard livestock from predators including wolves is increasingly being used by New Zealand farmers to help protect their animals.
The liquidation of Kester Black Ltd - the New Zealand business of the cosmetic and skincare brand started by Wānaka woman Anna Ross - has been completed.
The driver and passenger of a car that hit a stock truck while overtaking it in Canterbury on Thursday were lucky not to be seriously injured, say firefighters.
The victory means that New Zealand will be attending the FIFA World Cup for the third time, the first since 2010 when the side drew all three of their pool matches.
TVNZ says consultation is under way with some Shortland Street staff about possible job cuts, as the production company behind the soap adjusts to making fewer episodes.