A 65-year-old man has died after a tractor accident on the West Coast today.

Five people have been taken to hospital after a car crashed into a bar in south Auckland in the early hours of this morning…

A new study has shown that a major contributor to alcohol-related harm among underage drinkers is their older mates supplying…

1. 41 families on safety plans

A dozen New Zealand authors have signed an international writers' petition to the United Nations against state surveillance. The…

1. Traveller stripped of tech gear

NZ risks the loss of an "informed and thoughtful citizenry" if the benefits of an arts degree continue…

1. Students told: Stick with arts

A funny portrayal of a "cool dad" in a television ad about under-18s drinking has won praise for challenging parents' thinking…

1. Dangers of hungover driving

A Nigerian football player who "flooded the streets of Auckland" with cocaine and a former gang leader have been handed…

1. Footballer denies cocaine 'boss' claim

Customs has returned all the electronic gear stripped from a backpacker at the border, saying it found nothing on his computer…

Aucklanders are queuing for up to seven hours for food parcels from the City Mission, as donations run thin.

1. Finns' family charity mission

Len Brown says he is no lame-duck mayor after a damning report found he failed to declare more than…

1. video Bevan Chuang: John Palino knew of the affair (11:46)

A decision to ban alcohol from this year's Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park has been applauded by alcohol watchdogs and received…

1. photos Christmas in the Park 2012 (27 photos)

Personal water craft (PWC) riders are again preparing for a six-day odyssey to raise awareness and funds for the fight against…

1. 'Blood money' offer a bad look - Key

In early November, as Lorde's Royals sat at No 1 on the US charts, another Kiwi success story was blowing up big in America…

1. One song - four nominations

Catton likes nothing better than reading and re-reading books. The books she read as a child shaped…

1. Our greatest New Zealanders

At least one match involving the Auckland Aces provincial cricket team at the 2012 Champions League in South Africa is under…

1. Targets for fixers

Leaving an abusive partner is a huge step for many women. But starting a new life can also be very difficult.

1. Shoes level playing field

Some of his victims never saw it coming. Some succumbed because there was no point in putting up a fight. Some - like Peter…

1. John Armstrong: Seasonal spirit ferments in House (25 comments)

If he had any skerrick of honour left, Len Brown would by now have tendered his resignation as mayor to the people of Auckland…

1. video Report released on Mayor's affair (4:13)

At this time every year, the Herald has been able to select one person from many notable contributors…

1. Dedication pays off

Emergency services are at the corner of Great South Road and East Tamaki Road in Papatoetoe where a Holden Commodore car…

Voters have given the Govt's flagship asset sales policy an emphatic thumbs down, ratcheting up pressure for the sale of…

1. Matt McCarten: Vote to save last of family silver (177 comments)

The man killed in an early morning crash near Te Poi in Waikato on Wednesday was Grant Scott Gilmer of Tauranga, police…

1. Fatal crash blocks highway

A jury for a trial of two men accused of failing to declare their de-facto relationship in order to claim benefits has failed…

1. Benefit fraudster jailed

A south Auckland police officer is being investigated after a prostitute laid a sexual complaint against…

The man who successfully brought a private prosecution against ACT leader John Banks has vowed to take the former Pike River…

1. video Pike River two years on (8:25)

Meat thieves have raided a farm near Okaihau, in the Far North, slaughtering seven sheep in a paddock and leaving behind…

Four new Tasmanian devils have been welcomed to Wellington Zoo today.

1. Fears for dingoes as Australia's wild dog faces extinction

Three orca whales which were beached in a bay in Northland's Kaipara Harbour have made it safely back out to sea.

Fences capable of holding 2500 tonnes of rock will be installed at the Diana Falls slip next year where…

1. Lost tourists: Families cling to hope

Turn on, tune out, have another eggnog. That about…

Plastered across posters and T-shirts, inspiring a…

1. Living with disaster: Unshakable courage after a deadly quake

Captain Sulu flies again ... in a Zorb George Takei (Sulu in the original Star Trek series) is a top reviewer on Amazon…

1. Humorous Christmas cheer (47 comments)

Businesses must cater to the increasing needs, desires and purchasing power of Gen Y Kiwis driven by sustainability concerns…