Rocket Lab has officially opened its launch site on the East Coast - the world's first private orbital launch complex.

Heavy rain is causing disruption on the East Coast this morning, a day after spring downpours caused headaches in the Coromandel.

The East Cape has been shaken by a strong 5.1 magnitude earthquake this evening. It struck at a depth of 22km, 65km east of Te Araroa

A letter with the most bizarre address on the envelope has found its way to the right destination much to the surprise of the recipient.

Could you be unwittingly sitting on a million dollars? A winning ticket sold on August 24 and the prize has yet to be claimed.

Inquest hears how 13-year-old Reiha McLelland told her teacher 'right now I'm the farthest point from being okay' but he thought she'd 'bounce back'.

Ex-teacher says he didn't say anything about relationship with 13-year-old because he was scared she would run away.

A 13-year-old involved in a close and inappropriate relationship with a former teacher wrote in her diary there had been no sexual contact, an inquest into her death heard.

Parents of a 13yo girl presumed to have taken her life have told an inquest of their shock at learning the extent of her ties with a former teacher.

Scientists say it would have been impossible to predict today's earthquake even though a tremor a day earlier was probably a foreshock.

The shutting of train lines in Auckland after this morning's 7.1 magnitude earthquake were just a precautionary measure, KiwiRail says.

If you live in the East coast of the North Island, including Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty and the upper South Island here's what you need to know.

A man who drank a bottle of bourbon before driving his vehicle to a police station to talk to police was jailed for six months.

Not many bosses would arrange for nurses, budget advisors and the IRD to come and talk to you about child support. But husband and

After more than 2200 "shares" on Facebook and countless letters to the editor, the controversial statue at the Cook Plaza on Kaiti Hill remains a hot topic.

State Highway 2 linking Opotiki and Gisborne was closed this morning due to a large slip in the Waioeka Gorge.

The owner of four dogs that attacked a boy in Gisborne yesterday says he is "shattered" by what happened.

Giant feijoas grown on a small tree in Major Brown's back yard in Gisborne could have streaked into the lead in a quest to find the biggest feijoa.

A video of a boat being rolled by a solid set of waves has gone viral, gaining several million views over the last few days.

Unbeknown to former Gisborne Boys' High School teacher Gary File, his son, Kiernan, had organised for Irons to meet him after his Bristol show.

Nick Evans embarked upon his somewhat unusual profession when he answered an ad in the newspaper.

Wairoa's sole service 'acted unprofessionally'.

Looking at buying a rental property? According to realestate.co.nz there's some attractive investment opportunities in some unlikely areas.

Manawatu-Wanganui are the best performing regions for rental property investment, according to analysis by Realestate.co.nz.

Elisabeth Easther dives into the East Coast's pristine beaches and chilled-out vibe.

Troy Vincent McHugh was yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment for the shooting of Gisborne Black Power identity Douglas "Din" Witeri last year.

A Gisborne woman stood dumbstruck with tears rolling down her cheeks when she heard she had won Lotto's Big Wednesday not once, but twice.

Fine dining is just one fun way to keep busy in Gizzy, writes Megan Singleton.