Manawatu
Heavy rain sweeps North Island - in pictures
Heavy rain has caused slips, rising rivers and road closures in the North Island, and homes have been flooded in Auckland, Waikato, the Coromandel.
Record flooding expected in Whanganui, Rangitikei
Residents are being urged to evacuate low-lying areas before the worst hits on Wednesday.
Foxy Bangers
Foxton based Paul Brice has started making gourmet sausages in his retirement. He sells his "Foxy Bangers" at farmers markets in the Manawatu and on the Kapiti Coast. Varieties include lamb with… Audio
18 year old winner of illustration award
A last minute entry by a recent school leaver has taken out a top award for New Zealand children's book illustrators. We are delighted to announce that 18 year old Lael Chisholm from Feilding, has… Audio
Taihape Tigers
Danny Mickleson has spent 18 years breeding designer rams. They've been dubbed Taihape Tigers. Audio
Baseball bat attack puts father, son in hospital
A man, his 13-year-old son and their dog have been assaulted by men using baseball bats after being pulled from their car, police say.
Tough as boots
At the recent Rural Games in Palmerston North events including olive-stone spitting and egg throwing and catching, along with speed tree climbing, speed shearing and gumboot throwing. Audio, Gallery
Taupo fire survivors: 'They've got no clothes'
A small community near Taupo - where a house fire killed a mother, her baby and a man - have set up a home for the two survivors.
Councillors at odds over Palmerston North begging ban
A controversial bylaw that would outlaw begging in Palmerston North has embroiled the city's council in disagreement.
Rural Games kick off with the 'running of the wools'
The Hilux Rural Games have descended on Manawatu for the first time in the event's history, kicking off with 1000 sheep making a 500m dash down Feilding's main street. Video
Kiwi quinoa
On a rugged sheep and beef farm near Taihape, Dan and Jacqui Cottrell grow New Zealand's only commercial crop of the ancient South American grain. Audio, Gallery
Logic seen in Singapore fighter pilot base in NZ
A proposal for Singapore to use the Ohakea airbase as a training facility for its jet pilots is being seen as a logical next step in defence relations between the two countries.
River search for missing man in Manawatu
Search and rescue teams and a police dive squad are searching the Manawatu River for Christopher Neal.
Fatal fire: Stove left on, only one fire escape
A fire which killed two people in Palmerston North began when a stove was left on after being used for 'spotting' cannabis, a coroner has found.
Reckless driving in Manawatu Gorge prompts calls
A call has gone out for better driving through the Manawatu Gorge. Audio
Tertiary institution reopens after measles outbreak
A Palmerston North tertiary institution has re-opened after cancelling classes for two weeks over a measles outbreak.
Roads open again after North Island crashes
The northbound lanes of the Waikato Expressway and State Highway 57 near Palmerston North have reopened following separate crashes.
Festival celebrations cause headache for local farmers
A farmer in Rangitikei says a music festival is keeping locals awake at night with its relentless bass music.
Families go without food to cover school costs
Many families are struggling to pay for back-to-school costs that can run to thousands of dollars, a Palmerston North charity says. Audio
Police suspend air and water search for missing boatie
Police have suspended their air and water search for a missing boatie off Otaki Beach. Audio
