Revellers celebrating New Year and the start of a new decade in New Zealand behaved themselves last night.

Parts of the North Island are set for a soaking today, with up to 140mms of rain expected to fall in some areas.

A large scrub fire south of Nelson has been contained but may take a week to fully extinguish.

70 million-year-old prints are the first dinosaur footprints recognised in New Zealand and the first evidence of dinosaurs in the South Island.

Store north of Auckland takes the title in this year's competition.

A Nelson cabbie has been denied compensation after being stood down for refusing to wear a uniform that reminded him of a childhood spent under Nazi occupation.

A policeman accused of pepperspraying a cyclist who was not wearing a helmet and ramming him with his police car will stand trial.

NZers urged to be safe in the sun as clocks go forward an hour at 2am - to become 3am - tomorrow morning.

A severe weather warning is issued for the lower North Island while police warn of surface flooding in Auckland.

Kerri Jackson sings Nelson's praises, even when it's pouring down.