East Coast

State Highway 35 at Tolaga Bay has reopened to one lane and is expected to be fully reopened by mid-morning, after heavy rain and flooding.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms have been dropping rain across the upper North Island.

Area commander Danny Kirk said the past few days had been particularly busy.

The regional council says it's the same cable which fell into the river in September 2023, but the issue is different.

Police have arrested four people of interest after a man's death in Gisborne in September.

Five-year-old Khyzah DeLaCroix was found dead in a pond near his home.

Rangatira Marae was demolished this year after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated it in 2023.

"Good art will provoke thought. It provoked me to think that maybe I should pick this up."

Rubbish left outside the transfer station has cost ratepayers $570,000.

Two people suffered moderate injuries and two minor, after a vehicle hit a tree on Mangamaia Road

Turnout on the Māori roll in Gisborne surged 40.5 percent, from 3657 voters in 2022 to 5139 this year.

Bill Maangi was shot in the early hours of Monday, 29 September.

The number has jumped, since Whakatāne Hospital lost its obstetric services in January.

The charges relate to threats allegedly made earlier this year to Benjamin Doyle.

A new orange warning signals heavy rain could be on the way for eastern Bay of Plenty and the ranges of Gisborne.

Jardon Te Hau and Waylon Uatuku planned to see in the New Year at the festival, but never made it.

Hundreds of the toys remain unaccounted for, despite a recall notice.

Police say they have been engaging with the event's organisers to limit public disruption and ensure any activity remains lawful.