A Tauranga drug dealer who shot another man in the leg with a cut-down rifle and was also caught with 18 cannabis 'tinnies' inside a coffin in his lounge, has been sentenced to 10 months' home detention.

The owners of a stranded luxury launch have put it up for sale after failing to free it from sand.

An old postcard has revealed skeletons under the Mt Maunganui beach and an academic says a new bill would allow access to be restricted.

Greg Meads enjoyed his final months of freedom in a plush beachfront home with another woman before being convicted of murder.

Two men who died after their vehicle crashed into a tree in Te Puke this morning were fleeing from police.