Wellington, March 12 NZPA - Former Chiefs and Waikato player Greg Smith has been appointed set piece coach for Waikato in this year's national rugby championship.

"Super-fast, super-powerful and an extraordinary sight" is how Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow event manager, Mandy Deans, describes the F/A-18 Hornet fighters which have just been confirmed to appear at Wanaka.

In April 2010, Tasmania will once again become petrol-head heaven as over 300 of the world's finest road cars get the green light in the 2010 Targa Tasmania rally.

A rare Japanese Zero fighter will be the star attraction at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International airshow this Easter. The nimble fighter is expected to attract aircraft enthusiasts from far and wide as there are only three airworthy examples in the world.

Three new entry-level specifications of popular Mitsubishi models have been launched this week, meeting the needs of a broadening customer base.

Wellington, Jan 27 NZPA - Environmental samples taken after a fire at the former Waipukurau Hospital on Monday have confirmed that no contamination of asbestos occurred off site.

Christchurch, Jan 25 NZPA - Jamie Alan Sinclair has admitted drink-driving and unlawfully taking a police patrol car, but may deny a charge of injuring a police officer in the process.

Western Waikato Police are urging rural residents to watch out for one another's properties as they head out for the beach during the holidays and thieves move into their patch.

Wellington, Jan 4 NZPA - Relatives of a missing Queenstown man are distraught at media speculation he faked his own death.

Approximately 1.15am Friday 25.12.09 Huntly Police were called to attend the scene of a single-vehicle crash at State Highway 1 Hopuhopu south of Taupiri.