Latest fromManawatu-Whanganui

Man sentenced after repeatedly punching mother-in-law
Jahvarn Iremonger took exception to her intervening while arguing with his partner.

Teen has to avoid sun to keep swelling down after brain injury
Alice Giltrap continues recovery from brain injury.

Letters: Poor cousins' waiting room
The Ridgway St 'travel centre' offers cold comfort to those awaiting buses at night.

Mum of six who considered living in car finds home
Facing homelessness, mum of six gets a rental.

Property Brokers had 25 rentals available last week
Property Brokers come into crop of rental stock.

Removal of rocks leaves headland exposed, kills mussels
Resident and hapū unhappy with "cheap fix" for coastal erosion

Man who smashed partner's $1200 cellphone sentenced
Christopher Arbon was ordered to pay reparation and sentenced to supervision.

Local Focus: Global entrepreneur giving back to the Manawatū
Linda Jenkinson from Hiwinui to Silicon Valley and back. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

New leaders and high achievers named at Nga Tawa School
Head girl Rebecca Nesdale and deputy Holly Hodgson will be school leaders in 2019.

Spectacular thunderstorm: 27,000 lightning strikes hit North Island
Rain totalling 50mm fell in an Auckland suburb in two hours, and others are without power.

Drug dealer theme sparks stoush over kid's burger
A dispute over a "Trafficking" burger has come to a head.

Man jailed for kidnapping that ended in car crash
Jordan Davies and a co-offender were waiting for the man by his car when he finished work.

Home detention for 1000 objectionable images
Brian Pekamu had more than 40 videos depicting child pornography and bestiality.

Former police officer jailed for historical sex crimes
Graham Minnell violated and victimised three girls at various stages for over ten years

Child with meningococcal disease admitted to Palmerston North Hospital
Health authorities following up on others who might have been in contact with patient.

Water restrictions in place in Horowhenua
The restrictions mean people must cut back on their hose and sprinkler use.

Nicola Patrick: Nothing surprises me anymore -- except these surprises
Nicola Patrick on the spirit of Christmas

Local Focus: Picnic in the Pinetum
Largest collection in the southern hemisphere. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Picnic in the Pinetum
The largest collection of conifers in the Southern Hemisphere is tucked up a valley in the Manawatū. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Hundreds gather for Ātihau Whanganui annual meeting
Ātihau Whanganui reported a net surplus of $3.1m for the year and $21.6m total revenue.

Ten ComCom complaints about solar power company
Solar panels in hot demand. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Harness racing corruption probe widens to Auckland
13 harness racing people have so far been charged over Operation Inca

Judge orders $750 reparation for road rage incident
Rowan Loveridge kicked a vehicle as it was driving past him, damaging a rear panel

Children raise the alarm as woman is attacked
The couple was homeless and living in a car at the time of the assault.

The free store giving away four tonnes of food a week
A project that gives to the clients and the volunteers. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Zero waste follows popular beeswax workshop
New educational and fun waste minimisation workshops at Ruapehu