Stuff.co.nz - News

Mother in plea for return of photos

By STACEY WOOD — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +1200

Claudia Astorga-Ralph's son Raja lived for just five hours, but in that time his parents took as many photographs of their boy as they could.

Neighbour cuts sewer pipe leaving family in the lurch

By KAY BLUNDELL — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +1200

An Otaki family have been forced to use friends' toilets and showers for almost a month after a neighbour cut their sewer pipe, and sewage spewed on to their property.

Girl's death a homicide investigation

By SIMON WOOD — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +1200

The death of a three-year-old girl, found at a Palmerston North house with head injuries, is being treated as homicide, police say

Shot man used hand to ward off bullet

By BERNARD CARPINTER — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +1200

A man shot at a party in Ruatoria may have saved his own life by trying to fend off the bullet with his hand.

Kapiti road plan greeted with dismay

By KAY BLUNDELL — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +1200

Kapiti Coast residents fear a proposed four-lane expressway through the district will have huge impacts on small coastal villages and businesses.

Clark returns to scene of guide's death

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +1200

Former prime minister Helen Clark has returned from New York to the South Island range where her guide and mentor collapsed and died last year.

Never-again vow after rural schools botch-up

By TANYA KATTERNS — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +1200

The Education Ministry's community education reviews may be overhauled after the process collapsed in Tararua.

Community hospice closer

By TANYA KATTERNS — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +1200

A community-owned hospice for Wairarapa is to finally become a reality.

Truckie fears being fried in pole snap

By DAVE BURGESS — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:54:00 +1200

A truck driver feared being fried by electricity if he tried to leave his cab, after a wooden power pole he hit snapped and fell across his vehicle.

Avatar - A breathtaking glimpse into the future

By TOM CARDY — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:21:00 +1200

I have seen the future of cinema and it is blue-skinned, about three metres tall, with large cat-like eyes, pointy ears and a long tail.

Dead girl seemed 'always happy'

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:39:00 +1200

Police have upgraded their inquiry into the death of a three-year-old Palmerston North girl to a homicide investigation.

First Avatar trailer hits the net

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:13:00 +1200

The first trailer for James Cameron's hyped new movie Avatar, much of which was shot in Wellington, has gone online.

Man's body pulled from Rotorua hot pool

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:03:00 +1200

A 61-year-old man was pulled dead from a private hot pool in Rotorua this morning.

Ruling backs parents' rights to disinherit their children

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 06:03:00 +1200

Parents' rights to strip their children of inheritances have been upheld by the Court of Appeal in a ruling confirming a dead's man wish to cut his "disrespectful" daughters out of his will.

Thirsty 'boys' here to stay

By TIM DONOGHUE — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:49:00 +1200

As motorists move toward downsizing vehicles, Gavin Harris is laughing in the face of fuel efficiency.

Key and Rudd's rugby bet

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:49:00 +1200

They profess to be the best of friends, but when it comes to rugby, prime ministers John Key and Kevin Rudd have different ties.

Insurance success for people with HIV

By GREER McDONALD — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:49:00 +1200

At least 3000 people living with HIV are set to reap the benefits of having access to life insurance for the first time.

PMs propose Anzac force

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:49:00 +1200

Kiwi soldiers could train and fight beside Australians as part of an Anzac defence contingent.

Judge calls for debate on gay couple adoption

By MATT CALMAN — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:49:00 +1200

A bill to give gay and lesbian couples the right to adopt children will dispose of an "outdated" law from the 1950s, gay rights advocates say.

'Freakout' as thief found boy in car

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:49:00 +1200

The man who drove off in a stolen car with a child in the back seat has told a jury in Wellington District Court that he and his mates "freaked out" when they realised the little boy was there.