Stories by RNZ Online

However, brighter weather will return by the end of the working week.

The 97th annual Academy Awards is here - check out who took the big awards.

The Chills' final album Spring Board: The Early Unrecorded Songs was late frontman Martin Phillipps' mission to render his songs as he originally "heard them in his head," the band's manager says. Audio

The Northland shearer has become the first debut finalist to win the Golden Shears Open in 15 years.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the way to peace is for Russia to end its "three-year long illegal and immoral war of aggression".

After years of controversy, Pharmac's chief executive Sarah Fitt has resigned from her role. Audio

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was in Vietnam this week for both political and business discussions.

The proposal would see 20 hectares of Takapuna Golf Club, which sees more than 500 visitors per day, converted into a wetland.

The Prime Minister says there have been teething problems with the new roll-out and it is David Seymour's job to fix them.

"It looks like something out of Blade Runner. And as it turns out I'm not alone in being captivated." Audio

Halfway into his swim, Brian Gray's "addled brain" sent him the wrong way. "I thought I was following instructions and going up the river bank, but I'd turned around." Audio

He doesn't need much sleep, watches television in 20 minute chunks and goes to the movies with his bodyguards. The PM talks to RNZ about his cultural highlights. Audio

The Canadian rapper shuffled the NZ shows around earlier this year, and has now put a pin in them for good, joining a growing list of cancelled rap gigs.

The industry fears government plans to widen powers will see violence against staff who "don't go to work to do law enforcement". Audio

Lucie Morris-Marr was a fit and healthy 44-year-old mother of two when she received a shock diagnosis. Audio

One of the four injured has been taken to Dunedin Hospital by a helicopter.

A report details the urgent intervention and investment needed to prevent potential protests and local hostility in the area.

A green Ford Festiva was seen leaving one of the Masterton church fires.

The government has asked for feedback on a proposal to increase prescription supply from three months to 12 months. Audio

Phil Twyford claims his office was targeted after he called for Destiny Church to be struck off the charities register.

Four people have been arrested after a spate of burglaries in wahi, two of whom were arrested walking past the police station.

Andy Cato says "pure madness" drove him to pursue a new passion. Video, Audio

The ships have been sailing in international waters and conducting live-fire exercises.

"If you look back at old branding for hot sauce companies it would be like a nuclear weapon on the front of a bottle.," Mat Watkins said. Audio

The Prime Minister says it is a "fair assumption" he would have sacked the commerce minister if he didn't quit. Audio