A “monster” wasp nest in South Auckland has been destroyed with exterminators taking two days to get rid of over 200,000 wasps.The multigenerational nest was in a conifer tree on a farm in Karaka, and stood at 1.6 metres high, and 1.5 metres wide.It took two technicians two trips to…

“High levels” of faecal bacteria have been found in water samples taken from a bay in Canterbury, prompting Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora to issue a health warning.The water quality in Duvauchelle Bay on Banks Peninsula “is not considered suitable for recreational uses, including swimming, because of the risk…

A small warning sign pinned low on a parking barrier wasn’t enough to stop a whānau swimming in – and swallowing water from – a river that had been polluted by sewage from a New Plymouth shopping centre.New Plymouth District Council says its warning signs matched the risk – yet…

A man who allegedly stole a vehicle at knife-point drove dangerously through northern Auckland and rammed a police car has been found hiding up a tree.Officers eventually had to use police dogs and pepper spray to subdue the man after the incident on Thursday, police said.Just after 5.30pm, police spotted…

The knitting work of a designer from Mahia is getting attention from world-leading brands and stars.Hawke’s Bay designer Natalie Robb has been busy in her Mahia home-based studio, spinning the cool back into New Zealand wool.Handcrafting lavish garments, everything from colourful scarfs, check cardigans or what’s become her most popular…

A vegetation fire which broke out in Whangārei yesterday is “under control”, a day after the blaze led to evacuations of nearby homes.Incident controller Denis Cooper said crews would be standing down for the evening at 8pm.Several crews will return ion Saturday morning to extinguish the remainder of the fire…

More people will be able to access a medicine for osteoporosis, as Pharmac says it is widening funding of the medicine called denosumab. Denosumab is an injection medicine that helps to maintain bone strength, prevent fractures, and keeps blood calcium levels healthy. It was first proposed to be funded by…

A Hawke’s Bay woman whose parked car was smashed into has saved $500 thanks to council CCTV cameras.Tracy Murfitt was having lunch with friends in Havelock North the Monday before Christmas,“How nice is that? A catch-up and a nice meal. I arrived at 1pm and left about 2.30pm,” Murfitt said.“My…

Two people are assisting the Department of Conservation after a report of seabirds being captured and drowned in fishing nets near Coromandel’s Slipper Island/ Whakahau.A concerned member of the public reported the incident to DOC around noon on January 3.DOC Hauraki Operations Manager Avi Holzapfel said he was dismayed by…

The Government says more warning notices and shorter complaint wait times show its crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants is working.The state landlord has issued 553 Section 55A notices — up from 41 issued during the same period the previous year.Of those notices, 83% were first notices, 16% second and 2%…