Waikato

They were found at the bottom of the cliff in a critical condition but later died at the scene.

A cliffside rescue has begun at Hahei Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, with emergency services teams working together to try to get people to safety.

A helicopter has been sent to an emergency at Hahei Beach, while not far to the north, firefighters are trying to combat a scrub fire that has sent smoke over Coromandel beaches and forced the closure…

A prisoner was taken to hospital in a serious condition due to smoke inhalation from the fire.

Helicopters are due back in the air to help battle the scrub fire that has destroyed about 20ha of vegetation.

One man died and four others received minor injuries following a two-car crash on SH25 near Te Puru on 27 December.

An officer was forced to jump out of the way as the truck and trailer carried on through the investigation area.

A section of State Highway 1 at Piarere has reopened following a serious crash this morning.

Seven young people have been arrested after a night of disorder in Raglan, police say.

They still want anyone with information to do the right thing and come forward.

The last time Melissa Adams Mills heard from her brother, he told her his tyres had been slashed. Now his family fear he's been forgotten.

A handful of crashes have slowed traffic throughout the country as many return home from holiday travels.

The agency was not working with the family when the baby died - but has not said whether it has been involved in the past.

Diversions were in place and drivers should avoid the area, police said.

A man has been charged with murder and attempted murder after an incident in Fairfield on New Year's Day.

Neighbours describe keeping other children at the scene warm until police arrived.

Police have found and arrested Damon Anderson, who fled custody during a visit to Waikato Hospital on 23 December.

Waikato police have been granted special permissions allowed in periods of gang conflict, following the death of a woman after a brawl in Ngāruawāhia.

Hamilton business Greenleaf Fresh is being put into voluntary administration. It is the company behind Greengrower, a vertical farm operation that received $3.5 million in public funding.

Sir John Gallagher, a major shareholder and director of Gallagher Holdings, has been recognised in the New Year Honours for services to business, education, philanthropy and the community.