The Public Service Association says a decision to keep Salisbury School in Nelson open is a hard-fought victory but one which has come at a cost.

The Environmental Protection Authority is holding a public meeting to help people understand how they can have their say on the NZ Transport Agency’s proposal for the Peka Peka to North Otaki Expressway.

Hot kitchens and hot action for UCOL students There is a huge weekend of frantic activity and stress ahead for three groups of UCOL students as they compete in two national competitions this weekend.

Two waterspouts have been spotted in Manukau Harbour this afternoon. Around lunchtime WeatherWatch.co.nz warned Auckland Civil Defence that there was a "low to moderate" risk of tornadoes forming later today in Auckland and again there are risks on Wednesday.

This is an alert to the potential development of severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds. Wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.

The Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota has congratulated Hamilton City Councillors who have voted today to bring in a living wage over the next two years, but asked them to include the lowest paid in their workforce.

Putting words into action is the driver behind a whole of policing approach that has seen an 88 percent drop in residential burglaries in one of Hamilton's most vulnerable areas.

A complex trough of low pressure is forecast to slowly cross the country during Thursday, followed by a colder southerly flow. Bursts of heavy rain are likely about isolated areas as this trough passes, but currently broad scale accumulations are not expected to reach warning criteria.

Salisbury Board Chair Helen McDonnell says the school is thrilled that the Education Minister has decided to keep Salisbury School open into the future.

Police are having to close Akatarawa Road between Upper Hutt and Kapiti due to a crash. A vehicle has gone down a bank and rolled approximately 2 1/2 kilometres from Upper Hutt on the Akatarawa Road.

Social media giant Facebook and the Automobile Association’s Roadwatch website are two of the latest tools to be adopted by Northland’s Civil Defence officials to help provide information during winter storm events and other emergencies.

Governments and aid agencies have to tackle the politics and power at the heart of the increasing effects of climate change, rising inequality and people’s vulnerability to disasters, according to a new report published today by international agency Oxfam.

The Otago Regional Council’s newest catchment programme is well under way in the Lake Tuakitoto area in South Otago, with council staff working with local landowners to improve water quality.

A joint operation between several agencies and iwi targeted the dozens of goldfish lurking in Whakatane’s Sullivan Lake last week.

The readiness of Otago councils to respond to a major earthquake will be tested during a South Island wide exercise later this month.

The exercise, named Te Ripahapa (loosely translated as Alpine Fault earthquake) will run from 9am to 9pm on Wednesday May 29.

A former part-time postie and supermarket seafood assistant has won a prestigious Roger Harris engineering scholarship from Waikato Regional Council.

OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council has created a way for health professionals to reduce their carbon footprint by growing trees in a dedicated carbon forest in Wellington.

A new Health sector Diploma level paper for those who are already managing or administrating health and medical practices; PHOs and hospitals will be specifically available online through NorthTec starting in the second semester in July.

Know a person or community group doing outstanding work to protect and enhance the Taranaki environment? Now’s an ideal time to put them in the spotlight - but you need to act quickly.

Twelve new frontline border staff will help ensure New Zealand’s biosecurity defences stay strong, says the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

The new staff will receive their quarantine inspector warrants at a ceremony today in Christchurch.

Ever wanted to pick your own music when you are grocery shopping? Well now you can. PAK’nSAVE is launching the first of its kind music pilot, which lets you do just that - be the stores DJ and choose your favourite track whilst shopping.

At 5.25am today an area to the north of Rolleston was affected by a power cut. This cut was coincidental with heavy rainfall. Power was restored in approximately 2 hours at 7.29am.

A complex trough of low pressure over the Tasman Sea is forecast to slowly approach the country today and tomorrow and should cross central New Zealand Thursday morning.

"The evidence does not support the view of Sensible Sentencing Trust spokeswoman Ruth Money, that restorative justice is only appropriate for low level offending" says Kim Workman, of Rethinking Crime and Punishment. "Much of the evidence points in the opposite direction."

If you’re a history buff, a research scholar or someone with a deep interest in New Zealand and its heritage - here is a very special opportunity for you.

The appreciation of the opportunity that Christchurch offers is high, and interested groups in the United States have not forgotten what support they can still give, says Christchurch Central Development Unit Director, Warwick Isaacs.

A former University of Canterbury (UC) student, Cambridge University astronomy professor Gerry Gilmore has become a Fellow of the Royal Society (UK).

Over 60,000 people have voiced their objection to the proposed testing of party pills on animals, say animal advocates SAFE, The New Zealand Anti Vivisection Society (NZAVS) and the Royal New Zealand SPCA.

When faced with the prospect of stripping off for a camera, Bridget Roulston paused briefly, then said, "oh bugger it, I’m getting my knickers off".

The forecast may have threatened rain, but blue skies welcomed prospective students as they arrived on campus for Massey Albany’s Open Day on Saturday.