Stories by Alexa Cook

Hastings District

The 66-year-old has always maintained his innocence, after twice being found guilty of killing his wife and daughter.

Havelock North-based boutique dairy company Origin Earth is closing down after 15 years of providing customers with locally sourced sustainable products.

"Getting out of house and seeing what's out and about in the wild ... it's a bonus if you get a duck or two," says 10-year-old George Slavin.

Two private properties were shot at by gangs in the past 10 days.

The decision comes after a review into regional architecture, which recommended a merger and formation of a new coordination office.

The area was one of many where homes were flooded and lives were ruined.

The family say they have been waiting for 18 months for support after their son suffered a medical injury in hospital that has left him unable to walk. Audio

Napier City Council is proposing to close the library from 1 July 2025, and keep Taradale's Library open seven days a week - which is about a 20-minute drive away.

"Have a good life brother. Amen," Peta Rigby said as 32-year-old Jimmy Heremaia was sentenced to life in jail.

Tai Rāwhiti wants to take take a huge chunk of forestry and pastoral land and plant it with permanent bush. Audio

Police are investigating the theft of hundreds of bales of hay worth thousands of dollars in Taranaki.

Maurice Beatson is more than competitive on the Grand Prix circuit into his 70s. Audio

"Sane people would not accept this dam if they knew all the facts," a new group says.

Police say it poses a "very real threat" to the lives of those involved, and innocent members of the public.

A 57-year-old driver has been charged with careless driving causing injury.

A number of charges, fines and cars being taken off the road were the result of a police operation targetting boyracers in the city.

Hundreds of people took to Napier's streets in protest on Sunday, campaigning against cuts to the city's after-hours health services. Audio

A police investigation is underway into the alleged assault of a 15-year-old boy in Hawke's Bay by police officers.

A drought has been declared in the Northland, Waikato, Horizons, Marlborough-Tasman, and Taranaki regions. Audio

The clock is ticking for drought-stricken farmers in the Central North Island who fear if they don't get rain soon, no grass will grow before winter bites. Audio

"We can't sit here with no protection, no solution." Audio

RNZ can reveal that fourth generation Hawke's Bay farmer Marcus Buddo is putting his hat in the ring to be mayor of Hastings District.

A dairy farm field filled with sunflowers in Central Hawke's Bay is bringing joy and happiness to the local community, with people invited to walk through the flowers, and pick some to take away.

The two volunteer firefighters injured by a falling veranda in Te Pohue Hawke's Bay on Thursday have been released from hospital. Five people, including two firefighters helping a neighbour in...