Wellington Region
Lower Hutt back on its feet after 'mini-tornado'
Mayor Campbell Barry said luckily the damage was "in a pretty contained area". Audio
Hundreds of homes in Porirua without power
Power has been restored to most Porirua customers, although just over 260 homes are still without electricity.
Firefighters tackling hotspots following Titahi Bay blaze
The fire at Whitireia Park started late on Thursday night, sending smoke across surrounding Wellington suburbs.
Water tank manufacturer reports strong demand in face of restrictions
Business is "off the charts" for a water tank manufacturer as Wellington runs low on water this summer.
Arrest in Porirua after man shot - police
A man has been arrested in Porirua after another turned up at a hospital with gunshot wounds, police say.
Fire sending plumes of smoke over Porirua contained
Firefighters have contained a 10-hectare blaze at Titahi Bay but smoke warnings have been issued. Audio
Tighter water restrictions now very likely for Wellington
The weather does not look likely to help in the short-term either. Audio
Paekākāriki: 'It feels good not to cross the tracks'
Paekākāriki has long been a staging post along the coast, a place of refuge for dreamers, poets, artists, environmentalists and RNZ's own Mark Amery.
Swedish alarm after defence chiefs' war warning
A warning to Swedes from two top defence officials to prepare for war has prompted concern and accusations of alarmism.
Most of Wellington to move to level 2 water restrictions
The ban on all sprinklers and irrigation systems for residential homes will apply to Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, and Upper Hutt cities.
Heat caused major Wellington trains power outage
Consecutive days of warm weather caused the overhead powerlines to expand, KiwiRail says.
Wellington Water worker 'remorseful' after video prompts investigation
A Wellington Water worker who bragged on social media about slacking off at work is "genuinely remorseful about making the video", her employer says.
Hot spell hits Wellington and the South Island
It's the South Island's turn for a summer scorcher, with the heat set to rise into the 30s. Audio
Concerns for wildlife as drivers break rules in protected area
A Department of Conservation ranger is heartbroken people are flouting the rules by driving their cars at the Waikanae estuary scientific reserve.
Wellington passenger train power outage leaves some stranded
Nearly 140 Wellington commuters were left stranded - some for an hour - on tracks in between stations due to a power outage this afternoon.
Wellingtonians, Aucklanders hit the beach to cool off
At Freyberg Beach, three friends sought shelter from the blazing sun under the shade of a tree, saying the weather was too good not to make the most of.
Two arrested in Wellington after fleeing police in possession of firearm
Two people have been arrested after fleeing police, reportedly in possession of a gun.
Demand for water storage tanks in Wellington soars
People waited hours in the hot sun to purchase discounted 200-litre water tanks at the southern landfill's Tip Shop on Tuesday in Wellington.
Wellington Water investigates staff after 'slacking off' video
Wellington Water has confirmed an employee is being investigated after they posted a video online claiming to have spent the work day "slacking off".
Two arrested over brawl police believe led to dad's shooting in front of kids
Hori Gage was shot in his car outside his home in Palmerston North.