Lauren Crimp

Extreme winds have wreaked havoc across the lower South Island, where some face a week without power.

As conditions ease, the clean up is kicking in across the motu after trees were ripped clean from the ground, roofs lifted off, and fences and sheds sent flying. Audio

Hundreds of thousands of people are being urged to stay home as life-threatening gale force winds blast parts of the country.

Schools and businesses are close closed as down trees close major roads in the region. Audio

About 650 principals say the changes are too much, too fast, and come without enough support. Audio

A New Zealand Initiative report says large-scale government housing ownership is wasteful and not the most effective way to help people into homes.

"This is more than we would expect at this stage because it's such early days," the Education Review office says. Audio

Wayne Guppy has been the Upper Hutt mayor since 2001, and had been vying for a ninth term.

Twelve sites around Wellington have been left largely unmown since August last year. Audio

Land and affordability are two major issues facing the community-living project in the capital. Audio

The capital city has been shrouded in grey clouds lately, but pops of colour at the Botanic Gardens are putting a spring in locals' step this season.

Esarona Lologa has been convicted of five counts of murder and one of arson.

A sense of relief and justice was underscored by incredible heartache, as families of the Loafers Lodge fire victims "got justice".

We piece together Esarona David Lologa's background after his five-week trial.

The 50-year-old, who can now be named as Esarona David Lologa, set the Wellington boarding house alight.

Another juror has been discharged this morning due to illness.

The jury deciding the fate of the man who lit the fatal Loafers Lodge blaze has been deliberating for eight hours so far.

Lawyers have delivered their final arguments, and the jury will being deliberations on Wednesday morning.

There is no dispute the accused lit the fire, but his lawyers say he is not guilty by reason of insanity.

Dr Oliver Hansby initially said the accused had an insanity defence available to him, but the psychiatrist said access to further evidence saw him change that opinion.

Psychiatrist Dr Jeremy Skipworth, told the court the accused had threatened to kill him during proceedings today.

The man's lawyer says he was insane at the time of the fatal fire, but the Crown says he knew lighting the fire was morally wrong and could kill people

He has previously been jailed for hitting someone on the head with a weapon and fracturing their skull, the High Court has heard.

A psychiatrist has told a High Court jury the man accused of lighting the fatal Loafers Lodge fire was insane at the time and had no intention of hurting anyone.

Protestors have begun a tit for tat with Wellington City Council, removing fencing that blocks off the City to Sea bridge, which is planned for demolition.