Department of Conservation Director General Lou Sanson today paid tribute to Fiordland helicopter ace Bill Black MBE who passed away this week.

Dr Strong says NZ is a beacon of media freedom.

New Zealand has again ranked in the top ten countries in the world on media freedom, however it has dropped three places over the past year.

A half-tonne ‘fatberg’ is proving a bane for workers who have been attacking it with picks, shovels and high pressure hoses this afternoon, and prompted Council to remind residents to be mindful of what they flush.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises that SH10 north of Kaeo has been reduced to one lane after a large hole was found under the road surface.

The hole is about two metres wide and five metres deep, says Waka Kotahi Northland System Manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises work to make State Highway 1 East Taupo Arterial (ETA) safer will ramp up this month.

Beginning next week, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) will undertake its annual flights over the region to monitor for sediment disturbance and discharges to water from farming, forestry and other land-use activities.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a suspicious fire on Fulton Street, Invercargill.

The fire occurred in the garage of a residential property at 9pm on Wednesday 1 July, the garage and its contents were extensively damaged.

Among the multitude of New Zealand climate statistics there is one record that continues to be broken month after month.

Southland District Council chief executive Steve Ruru has resigned.

Mr Ruru said his decision to resign was one of the hardest he has had to make.

"I have enjoyed my time down here immensely and it’s been a fantastic opportunity.

The Taranaki Regional Council has appointed Steve Ruru as its new Chief Executive.