Wellington Region

A year on from the disappearance of a man on a popular Wellington walking track, the police remain hopeful he will be found.

Two crashes - including one involving a police car on its way to the earlier smash - closed SH2 River Road in Upper Hutt for hours today.

The cyclist was airlifted to hospital but later died from their injuries.

The Phoenix have kicked off the Bev Priestman era with a 1-1 draw against Canberra United in the capital.

A last-minute database crash couldn't stall the opening of Plenty Foods in Brewtown. Audio

A magnitude 3.5 aftershock struck at 10:28pm, about an hour and a half after the initial shake.

The charges against Jevon McSkimming, which also include possessing bestiality material, carry a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.

FENZ could not yet say whether fireworks sparked the blaze at Transition Towns Community Centre in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The first man to die in a duel and a headstone proclaiming "murder" are two of the stops on a tour of Bolton Street Cemetery, on the theme of 19th century crime and punishment.

A car hit a powerpole.

A cordon was set up with a dozen police officers surrounding a property.

The Depression Recovery Trust's Wellington treatment centre, Whakamātūtū, is on the brink of closing down after ACC pulled its funding. Audio

"Vicious" flames spread quickly in strong winds across two properties.

NZTA's Mark Owen told Morning Report the builder never applied the final chip seal layer so it was not as waterproof as it should be. Audio

The champion kārearea has its talons out in the capital. Audio

One Island Bay home was 'completely gutted', with neighbours urged to close doors and windows to avoid exposure to smoke.

An infectious disease expert whose own child is among those potentially exposed to measles says he has confidence in the public health advice. Audio

Martinborough Transport Ltd managing director Josh Hawkins said the driver was very shaken from the accident.

"Somebody has just taken it upon themselves to just empty out the storage facility just because they can," says an antique furniture restorer. Audio

Wellington City Council says it will remove temporary fencing that was put in place following the death of Isaac Levings in 2023.