A nasty surprise could be waiting for people hoping to make the most of the long weekend by heading for many of the region's rivers and streams

Tauranga, Jan 16 NZPA - A man found with three glass pipes for smoking methamphetamine told police he needed that many "because they break so easily".

Tauranga, Jan 16 NZPA - A motorist who was banned indefinitely from getting behind the wheel 14 years ago appeared in Tauranga District Court today on his 11th charge of driving while disqualified.

A teenager has today (Friday, 16 January) been charged with assaulting a man in Palmerston North, fracturing his skull.

McDonald's has welcomed the Northland District Health Board's report into a recent customer complaint from its Whangarei restaurant. The report is inconclusive as to the origin of three maggots found on the burger and to the age of the larvae.

The Department of Conservation is investigating a cluster of short-tailed bat deaths in the Pureora Forest Park area.

Christchurch, Jan 16 NZPA - A Christchurch mother-of-two is continuing her fight to keep her name out of the media after admitting having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

The Public Service Association says cutting public services will not help boost the economy.

Woolsack Lane between Hereford and Cashel streets is the latest of Christchurch's lanes to attract redevelopment as part of the Christchurch City Council's Central City Lanes Plan.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is challenging the new Government to tell the Christchurch community what it will do to address the problem of boy racers in the city.