Emergency Services

A person has died in hospital after being injured in a crash in Pegasus, north of Christchurch.

A coroner is calling for better messaging on sandbar crossing safety after an experienced boatie died when his boat capsized.

The alternative to policing by consent would be a police state, which New Zealanders don't want, the party says.

Southbound lanes between the Great South Road on-ramp and the Ramarama off-ramp were temporarily closed.

One person has been taken to hospital with moderate injuries while others were treated at the scene.

Police are appealing for the public's help to catch masked offenders they say assaulted a Lower Hutt dairy owner on Sunday night.

The man fell into the Manawatū river while walking his dog in Ahimate Park on Saturday.

Power lines were cut down and cars were towed to get to the truck back on the street.

Police said the accident took place at Alan Avenue, Henderson at around 3.30pm.

Police warned their minister that ditching an extremist alert system risked leaving them and security agencies unable to prevent a terrorist act. Audio

Meanwhile, sewage has been discharged into Wellington's waterways after heavy rain overnight.

Police are asking drivers in Wellington to avoid the Paekakariki off-ramp area, on State Highway 1, Transmission Gully, after a serious crash.

People were seen running away from the house a short time beforehand, police say.

Police have confirmed three people died after the incident at a railway crossing in Peachgrove Road in the early hours.

With many parts of New Zealand warm and very dry, fires can take hold and spread quickly, fire fighters say.

Auckland's Southern Motorway has reopened after a serious crash on Saturday near the suburb of Conifer Grove in Manukau.