"Auctions on a falling market could hasten a fall in dairy commodities, but whether it is the catalyst is open for debate.

Ministry of Fisheries officers are alarmed at the high rate of offending at our local shellfish beds, even though summer has only just begun.

Council signs off plan for public consultation

Thames-Coromandel District Council is the first to have its draft 2009-2019 Ten Year Plan signed off by the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) and has been told it has set a very high benchmark for other councils to follow.

Wellington, Dec 22 NZPA - A Bay of Plenty man was jailed today after having used his 15-year-old girlfriend to earn money for the pair working as a prostitute.

Tauranga, Dec 22 NZPA - Two men and a youth have appeared in court today jointly charged with injuring with intent to injure, and assault.

The youngest is 15 and the others, aged 21 and 19, stood alongside him in Tauranga Youth Court.

We've all been there. First day of the holidays, you've just got to the beach or camping ground, and someone develops a splitting headache, a nasty tummy bug, or steps on a rusty nail. You're miles away from the nearest town, it's Sunday night anyway - what to do?

Auckland, Dec 22 NZPA - A Queensland-based New Zealander will be nearly $110,000 out of pocket after admitting his part in an international spam email operation.

Wellington, Dec 22 NZPA - A mental health assessment has been ordered for a Christchurch man charged with making 72 annoying phone calls.

Wellington, Dec 22 NZPA - A man who raped a woman in her south Auckland home in 2006, has had his minimum sentence in prison reduced three years by the Court of Appeal.

22 December 2008 - New Zealand Red Cross is delivering practical assistance to the Zimbabwe Red Cross as they tackle the cholera outbreak that has affected the country for the past four months.