Govt delivers ultimatum to councils
The government has given councils an ultimatum: come up with amalgamation plans within three months or the government will do it for you.
National
Transfer station business charged after woman fatally crushed
Transfer station business charged after woman fatally crushed
Charges have been filed against a business after an employee died by being pinned between a bin and a wall.
Celebrity chef treated like ‘God’
Celebrity chef was treated like ‘God’
A Queenstown chef who quit amid accusations of inappropriate behaviour was treated like ‘‘God’’ by management, an insider says.
Missing 33-year-old woman last seen on Friday
Missing 33-year-old woman last seen on Friday
Concerns have been raised over the wellbeing of a woman missing from Mosgiel for several days.
Alleged cop killer wanted to take his own life
Alleged cop killer wanted to take his own life
Hayden Tasker was drunk, annoyed about life and motivated by anger toward police before he drove into two officers in Nelson, killing one and critically injuring another, a court has heard.
Disgraced top cop pays back $500 for hotel stays during affair
Disgraced top cop pays back $500 for hotel stays during affair
Disgraced former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming has paid back $500 in relation to taxpayer-funded stays at hotels during his affair.
'Quite remarkable' $1m Lotto win
'Quite remarkable' $1m Lotto win
A South Island man says he carried a $1 million Lotto ticket around in his wallet for a week while he let the magnitude of the prize sink in.
Drink driver claimed he had 'the blood of Christ' in him
Drink driver claimed he had 'the blood of Christ' in him
A man pulled over after swerving all over the road claimed the alcohol he consumed shouldn’t count because it was the "the blood of Christ".
Brawl erupts between gang rivals at charity boxing event
Brawl erupts between gang rivals at charity boxing event
The action at a charity boxing event spilled out into the crowd when members of a gang spotted out-of-town rivals from across the ring.
Mum left to fend for herself after meningitis
'I had a 42-degree temperature': Mum left to fend for herself after 'frying from the inside'
After fighting for her life in an induced coma while "frying from the inside", a 36-year-old NZ mother-of-two says she was forced to fend for herself after being discharged from hospital.
No concerns over vigilantes flying drones at duck-shooters
No concerns over vigilantes flying drones at duck-shooters
Fish & Game says it is not concerned about vigilantes flying drones at hunters this gamebird season.
Body believed to be missing Motueka man
Body believed to be missing Motueka man
A body has been found during the search for missing Motueka man Nathan Green.
Tiwai Point workers to strike from next week
Tiwai Point workers to strike from next week
Workers at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter have voted to take industrial action from Monday but the smelter says it provides a competitive package.
Westport fish factory to close
Westport fish factory to close
Talley's is closing its Westport fish processing factory, with 92 staff affected. The company will continue to process fish in Motueka and Timaru.
Handyman blew $60k on gambling, massages
Fraudster handyman who blew $60k on gambling, massages leaves string of unfinished jobs and disgruntled clients
An “accomplished fraudster”, whose rip-offs scored him $114,000, has been given a firm ultimatum by a judge – show me the money.
Actor Sam Neill cancer-free
'I'm not afraid to die, but it would annoy me': Actor Sam Neill cancer-free
Sir Sam Neill says he is cancer-free and credits a groundbreaking new therapy for it.
Campervan lands on its side in a ditch after crash
Campervan lands on its side in a ditch after crash
Three people suffered moderate injuries after a campervan crash that blocked State Highway 6 in both directions.
Peters puts brakes on planned truck law change
Winston Peters puts brakes on truck law change: 'We're going to make sure we use rail'
NZ First leader and Rail Minister Winston Peters has hinted he won't support a law change allowing trucks to carry more weight during the fuel crisis.
Student hit by car in need of new wheelchair
Student hit by car in need of new wheelchair
A student is hoping to get back to doing what they love after they were struck by a car on a pedestrian crossing earlier this month.
More diesel secured in Z deal
More diesel secured in Z deal
The government is partnering with Z Energy to secure extra diesel to be stored at Marsden Point, over-and-above the current minimum stockholding obligations.