It is too early to say whether a fire that killed a woman and a child overnight is suspicious, police say.

A major elderly care operator has accused health authorities of a "witch hunt" over the closure of a rest home.

An inspection team finds a 103-year-old woman tied to her bed with a sheet, during an audit of a Palmerston North rest home.

The key witness in the trial of a man accused of murdering a friend seven years ago refused to talk to police for five years.

Wanganui freezing worker David Bourke will tomorrow be charged with murdering his brother, police say.

A drunk teenage driver who crossed a median strip and collided with a Toyota Hilux admits killing his friend in the smash.