Waikato

Government legislation and abuse of councillors are among factors making people reluctant to stand, one councillor says.

Fire crews are damping down hotspots after shops in the suburb of Hillcrest caught on fire overnight.

Phillips and his three children have been missing since he took them in December 2021.

The vehicle was spiked near the Waikato Expressway but kept going - driving the wrong way down the expressway.

A group of 11 prisoners refused to leave the exercise yard and lit fires at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.

Violence and riots in prisons are now common as a result of higher prison populations, a Corrections staff representative says.

Police said the crash involved two vehicles, and happened at the intersection of Waharoa Road East and Pohlen Road shortly before 5:25pm.

Te Poi Road, southeast of Matamata, will be closed for some time after a crash between a truck and a pedestrian.

Pixie Blake has become the youngest person to ever win a title in Waikato, as part of a trio. Audio

Police said a 23 and 25 year old were arrested in South Auckland this morning.

The pedestrian was taken to hospital, but died a short time later.

The single car crash happened on State Highway 23 in Whatawhata on Saturday morning.

The crash happened shortly after 4am on Thursday on Tokoroa's Bridge St.

The two 19-year-old men appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Wednesday.

Jack Hargreaves is due to stand trial in 2028.

Drivers are being told to delay travel to Kawhia.

Tyreece Te Pairi died after an altercation between two groups in Hamilton on 19 July.

In total, there are 51 candidates vying for a place on the Council including 12 for mayor.

Another crew was able to take over fighting the blaze, but the union says any delay can lead to more damage.

A long-time resident says locals should be prepared for a rumble in the battle to adequately staff the hospital. Audio