Hawke's Bay

Several prized reptiles have been taken from a park enclosure, and police are getting involved.

It's among the district's highest-risk locations, with 10 crashes, including one fatality, over the past five years.

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

"They don't pay tax, lack safety standards, and sell poor-quality products which are harming consumers, legitimate businesses, and the wider community," John Caulton claims.

The Pakowhai Rd site is near the scene of a fatal car crash on the Chesterhope Bridge in 1998.

A Napier antique shop owner is blaming the high price of silver, after an overnight burglary at her store between Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson told RNZ there's now one fire truck monitoring the scene, and the fire investigators have left.

Firefighters will remain at the scene of the fire in Hastings overnight.

The design allows the Hawke's Bay river's mouth to be opened more quickly and safely, particularly ahead of forecast heavy rainfall.

Five people have been injured, and drivers are being told to avoid the area and expect delays.

With no rainfall forecast for weeks, the risk is great for a fire getting out of control, a fire chief says.

Emergency services were called to the crash site near Flemington south of Waipukurau last night.

Police say there will be an increased presence this weekend with gang members expected to attend the unveiling of a headstone.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council was responsible for putting thousands of properties into categories 1, 2 and 3 after Cyclone Gabrielle hit in 2023.

Two gang members and an associate have been arrested in Hawke's Bay following an investigation into high levels of methamphetamine in wastewater.

A proposal from the new Napier Mayor to remove mana whenua voices and voting rights in the council's standing committees for the next council term has failed.

The council suspects the current dry conditions are the main problem.

The man was later shot with sponge rounds and tasered.

A piece of artwork that prompted 101 complaints in a week has now been stolen from a Hastings art gallery.

After Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, the Hawke's Bay town was given $70 million of Crown funding to provide the town with protection from future flooding.