Christchurch, Sept 7 NZPA - A hit-and-run crash during a gang confrontation left the victim in hospital for five months, Christchurch District Court was told today.

Waikato District Health Board has no plans to cut services to the public or to make cuts in essential service delivery.

This past weekend saw New Zealands first Telethon in over 15 years, and the first Telethon put on by TV3.

Wellington, June 8 NZPA - The father of Lower Hutt schoolgirl Karla Cardno, who was brutally raped, tortured and murdered 20 years ago, is himself facing sex crimes against a minor.

Christchurch, June 5 NZPA - To get its not guilty verdicts, the David Bain defence team needed to provide grounds for reasonable doubt and a convincing villain.

They needed to make the trial about David's father Robin.

19 May 2009 - Transport Minister Steven Joyce has re-announced his so-called billion dollar plan for state highways so often that he must almost be able to see himself in the mirror despite the smoke, says Labour transport spokesperson Darren Hughes.

Auckland, April 15 NZPA - A 34-year-old man charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl had his interim name suppression lifted and then reimposed in the Auckland District Court today.

Wellington, March 24 NZPA - A solo-mother of three lied repeatedly and boasted she was going to be "bigger than Louise Nicholas", a rape trial jury was told today.

Wellington, March 11 NZPA - Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles yesterday admitted disorderly behaviour after abusing and manhandling police in a drunken scuffle.

Wellington, Dec 18 NZPA - A 33-year-old woman charged with making a false gang rape complaint over a Corsair Bay incident has not retracted her original statement and is likely to defend the charge, the Christchurch District Court was told today.