A man has died following a light aircraft crash this afternoon in Kaitoke, Upper Hutt.

Police received a report about 1.50pm that an aircraft had been witnessed crashing in the area.

A search was initiated and the craft and its occupant were located late this afternoon.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is encouraging motorists to expect roads on the Coromandel Peninsula to be ‘hopping’ later this week as hot rods, classic cars, caravans and motorcycles arrive en masse for this year’s Beach Hop Rock ‘n’ Roll festival, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday.

Anyone wanting a poll on Council’s resolution to establish Māori Wards must collect the signatures of at least five percent of Ruapehu voters enrolled for the last triennial elections and deliver it to Council’s head office in Taumarunui by 5pm on Monday 22 February 2021.

Police are appealing to the public for sightings of 24-year-old Merrin who escaped from Police custody in Hamilton this afternoon.

Merrin was last seen at the Hamilton Police Station on Anzac Parade just before 3pm after fleeing from Police staff.

Police can confirm a person has died following a workplace incident on McAlpine Street in Christchurch today.

Emergency services were alerted at about 2:10pm.

WorkSafe has been advised.

Enquiries are ongoing.

Successful applicants will work with food companies in Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty as part of the Master's degree. Image: Freepik.

The contract for feasibility studies into a Picton Mountain Bike Park, Heritage and Environment Centre, and a Wellness Centre and Spa/Pool Complex has been awarded.

Food, festivity, entertainment and fun are all on the menu for the Taste of Hastings event taking place on Heretaunga St East on December 3.

Three University of Waikato-led projects will unearth new knowledge of our natural environment after receiving a total of $1.9 million in Marsden funding.

The studies are among 13 new University of Waikato-led research programmes supported by the Marsden Fund this year.

Police are appealing for witnesses to yesterday morning's fatal crash in Omahu, Hawke’s Bay.

The crash, involving a car and a pedestrian, occurred on Taihape Road near the intersection with Korokipo Road and Swamp Road just before 2am.

The pedestrian died at the scene.