Taranaki
Waitara High School's phone ban ingenuity
The Principal of Waitara High School in Taranaki has changed his mind about the ban on phones in school. Initially the school would allow their year 13s to have their phones with them as they… Audio
Lights and music bring New Plymouth to life this Matariki
An interactive light installation has finally arrived in Taranaki - three years after being stuck in transit.
Power restored to Coromandel Peninsula
Power line and weather woes look set to continue for parts of the North Island, with work continuing on the Northland supply and storms forecast.
Murder accused Leigh Beer caught 'red-handed' - Crown
A jury has heard two vastly different accounts of the night a young woman's life ended in a house fire.
Fire investigator identifies mattress as ignition point of fatal fire
A fatal fire started on a mattress that was exposed to a naked flame, a specialist forensic fire investigator has told a jury.
'Shocked and mortified': Bank teller stole from customers
A bank teller who stole more than $28,000 from customers to prop up her gambling addiction chose her victims carefully - they did not use internet banking and were either elderly or had health issues.
Feedback on E coli, nutrient and sediment runoff sought in Taranaki
Taranaki locals are being asked to have their say on developing new targets for the region's rivers and streams.
Volunteers plant 500 plants at ecologically significant Pātea saltmarsh
Protecting the saltmarsh - a habitat to birds, fish and reptiles - is essential to maintaining biodiversity, advocates say.
Taranaki Base Hospital power supply turned off to test emergency energy centre
Health New Zealand says there is a 50 percent chance Mt Taranaki could erupt in the next 50 years and the hospital needs to be prepared.
Climate change set to cause more fish die-offs - official
Record high water temperatures and low river levels are being blamed for the deaths of more than 80 fish in Taranaki.
'I didn't f***ing do it': Gang member accused by defence counsel
Leigh Matthew Beer is on trial for the murder of his partner. But his defence counsel is pointing the finger at a Mongrel Mob member.
Rugby player punched, hospitalised during post-game handshakes
A player was floored by a punch as opposing players were shaking hands after a match.
Witnesses rebuffed at scene of fatal fire, jury hears
The friends say they asked if anyone was inside the burning building, but were told to "piss off".
'Brave and bold': Iwi praise councils for Māori wards stand
All four Taranaki councils oppose the government's decision to block Māori wards by public referendums.
NZ's top milking herd is small, but mighty
Taranaki dairy farmer Cliff Shearer's practices may seem old-fashioned, but they've helped him make his way into the history books. Audio
Witness recounts arguing and screaming at scene of fatal fire
A witness has recalled hearing a man screaming a woman's name at the scene of a fatal fire - but never hearing a woman scream back.
Questions hang over controversial chemical plant probe
Leaked documents show testing for contamination at the New Plymouth site may need to go further.
Upsurge of anti-social behaviour in New Plymouth CBD
It's not only the big cities dealing with an upsurge in street crime ranging from knife-fights organised on social media to brawling in the streets, New Plymouth locals worry crime is on the rise… Audio
Nunchucks, poles, knives: NP businesses speak out on inner-city crime
More than 30 people have been trespassed from a pedestrianised space in New Plymouth's CBD that has become notorious for trouble.
How you can help DOC find out more about Māui dolphin deaths
The Department of Conservation is asking hardy winter beachgoers to report sightings of dead or stranded Māui dolphins.
