Latest fromManawatu

Motorcyclist dead, seven injured in two crashes
The motorcyclist's death brings this year's road toll to 238.

Wild weather: Thunderstorms, gales, heavy rain and large hail forecast
MetService is forecasting changeable weather for the weekend, in true spring style.

Rugby: West Coast on top of Heartland Championship
Only West Coast and North Otago still unbeaten after two games.

Heartland Championship kicks off
First round of games honours memory of All Black and Heartland legend Sir Brian Lochore

Manawatu man caught with 4000 child sexual abuse files
The man used social media to distribute files depicting the sexual abuse of children.

Police admit error after inmates' daring court escape
As of 6am police had not found Wiremu Eparaima, Te Wera Hemara and Emmanuel Witana.

Mum's grief over 30-year-old's homicide: 'She was unrecognisable'
Brenda Reuben urges anyone with information about her daughter's death to contact police.

Operation Inca: Trainer has harness race fixing allegation dropped
12 arrests were made during the police's massive Operation Inca last year.

Planting in Manawatū Catchment
Volunteers responded to call from the Te Kauru Hapu Collective to continue the planting.

Damaged 1080 trucked 1000km for disposal in Marton landfill
The 1080 bait was damaged during flooding on the West Coast, then taken to the landfill.

Self belief an edge for Metro Whanganui
A sense of self belief will give Metro Whanganui an edge in the final match of round robin

Hole in his heart: Four major surgeries, and he's only 10
Connor Williams' fight started the moment he was born.

SH1 fatal crash: Family torn apart, 2yo won't walk again
"We are just praying to God that our baby is going to stay here with us."

Local Focus: Refugee day grows with support from locals
Big increase in locals at Refugee Day celebration. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Locals show support for refugees
Big increase in locals at Refugee Day celebration. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Gift of life: Surgeon's organ donations saved lives
More organ donors are needed, but what's involved? One family tells of going through it.

Rugby: Poor decision-making costs Metro
St Johns Club Whanganui Metro slip to fifth on the Manawatu Colts division rugby table.

Rugby: Metro poised to strike
Metro sit poised to strike in fourth spot in the Manawatu Colts division rugby competition

Winter isn't coming New Zealand - it's here, and it's cold, brace yourselves
Temperatures dipped below zero overnight as snow blanketed parts of New Zealand.

Thunderstorms, lightning, driving warnings. What's next?
No matter where you were in NZ last night, you would have experienced thunderstorms.

Childcare teacher stole centre's money to gamble
The teacher said she was "in the throes of a gambling addiction" when she stole the money.

Local Focus: Curtain hacks for a warmer winter
Winter is coming but this Whanganui eco-expert knows how to bring out the best in your curtains. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Police seek missing Levin woman
Levin woman who hasn't been seen since Monday morning was walking on SH57.

Rugby: Key players back from injury
Key players back from injury expected to fire up Whanganui Metro this weekend.

Local Focus: New lights, new bridge, new glowing path of rocks
Colourful bridges connect Massey Uni to Palmie downtown. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Outrage at radio competition giving away real rabbit
More FM competition "Bunny Bingo" had a real rabbit prize for guessing where it would poo.

Local Focus: Farmers make art to fight depression
Kimbolton Sculpture Festival - art show with a message. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Local Focus: Farmers make art to fight depression
Kimbolton Sculpture Festival is a rural art show with a message. Made with funding from NZ On Air.