Stories by Andrew McRae

High-tech surveillance equipment and two tracking dogs have been called in after a wallaby was spotted in South Hokianga.

Seasonal labour shortages in the country's orchards could soon be a thing of the past as robotic machines start picking up the work.

A ceremony has been held at the Ōhakea Airforce Base this afternoon for the bodies of three servicemen repatriated from Fiji and American Samoa. Video

The first ceremony to mark the return of defence force members who died while on active service overseas after 1955 will take place this afternoon.

Ngāruawāhia residents have given the thumbs-up for a separate diving platform, but many say it is not likely to stop young people daring each other to jump off the rail bridge.

At least 20 houses near Rotorua could be uninhabitable after severe flooding in Bay of Plenty yesterday.

It has been a big year for New Zealand wine exports into the United States and it is part of a larger growth globally in the sale of wine particularly into emerging markets.

The 96th Poppy Day Appeal is under way today with collectors out in force raising money to support this country's veterans of war, conflicts, natural disasters and peace-keeping operations.

One year on from the devastation of ex-Cyclone Debbie and 78 homes in a small Bay of Plenty town are still in disrepair.

A Bay of Plenty lobby group that wants a highway black spot fixed says it is not ruling out blocking the road if something isn't done about it.

A monument recognising veterans from the Royal New Zealand Airforce's flying boat operation in the Pacific will be unveiled in Fiji on Friday.

The first fully-accessible public toilet and bathroom facility in New Zealand designed for people with profound disabilities has opened in Hamilton. Video

The dangers of crossing Ngāruawāhia's rail bridge - which claimed the life of a young girl last night - are well-known by locals, but they say they can't stop people from doing it.

Angry dairy and convenience store owners in Hamilton are demanding that the government fund cigarette vending machines in shops to help discourage robberies.

A move on the Coromandel that could make it easier to destroy mangroves is dividing the community.

A dairy owner attacked with a machete says he tried to use his karate skills to fend off the attackers.

A 17-year-old rodeo rider has won the Young Rural Sportsperson of the Year title.

A network of self-resetting rat traps are being laid out in the Whareorino Forest in western King Country to help protect the Archey's frog.

This country's first Purple Poppy Day was held on the weekend at the National Army Museum in Waiouru to commemorate the role animals have played in war.

Farmers in the eastern Bay of Plenty are bracing for more bad weather next week after torrential rain on Monday caused some rivers to overflow their banks. Video

Crown Forestry is chasing unproductive farmland suitable for commercial planting of pine trees.

A man has been ordered to forfeit his drone after being sentenced for endangering the lives of fire-fighting helicopter pilots near Wanaka.

A New Zealander living in the UK has found a way to help our struggling blackcurrant industry.

The blackcurrant industry has been dealt a blow after Ribena, which usually buys half the fruit's harvest, decided not to renew growers' contracts.

The captains of all 16 teams in this country for the World Rugby Sevens got together last night at Hobbiton.