14 JULY 2008 - North Shore Police are appealing to the public for urgent information on the whereabouts of a five and half year old child who has been abducted from her home in Albany.

I'm a self confessed vampire junky. I'll gladly overdose on any good vampire book, DVD, movie, comic, graphic novel or TV show if it involves vampires. Why? Because vampires are hot, that's why! And they're cool... I mean who wouldn't want to live forever?

24 NOVEMBER 2008 - Solid Energy's annual meeting today is an obvious publicity stunt, an empty public relations gesture designed to gain them some good press.

Due to very long delays for vehicles leaving the grounds after the same event last year Otaki Police undertook a problem solving exercise.

If your new years resolution was to lose weight or give up smoking then let me advise you that you should get more creative for next year. Trying to get fit? If you need a new years resolution for that then you've already failed, instead, hows about you get your lazy ass off the couch.

Taupo Police can now 'officially' release the name of the girl that died in a boating accident at Lake Taupo yesterday.
She is Genevieve Lewis, aged nine years from Eketahuna.

5 January 2009 - In one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history, Richard Dreyfuss of Jaws cuts open a Great White Shark to reveal a crushed tin can and a license plate.

7 January 2009 - The Salvation Army is beginning to see a rise in demand for its addiction services as people pick up the pieces after the festive season.

Technology is great. Right? Sure, why not. My life is a convergence of mobile phone, laptop, TV, DVD player, camera, Xbox, VCR (yes, I still love my VCR) and stereo. Internet is a great tool and best friend to many.

A former Commonwealth Ombudsman, Philippa Smith AM, has been appointed as Chair of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) board.

Wellington, Jan 6 NZPA - It's a girl!
Auckland Museum today made its proud announcement about its "long, sleek" great white shark thawing in its loading bay, awaiting dissection.

Wellington, Jan 3 NZPA - The two Indian men arrested for the alleged rape of a Hawera woman on Christmas Day have been remanded in custody.

(Eds: Reissuing H1279 with new slug)
Wellington, Jan 3 NZPA - The two Indian men arrested for the alleged rape of a Hawera woman on Christmas Day have been remanded in custody.

By Chris Barclay of NZPA
Christchurch, Jan 3 NZPA - He has the million dollar shots, but missed the seven figure payday -- and therein lies the paradox of precocious West Indian cricketer Xavier Marshall.

In relation to the Henderson homicide investigation that began on October 11, 2008 named Operation Woodside, Police can now reveal the identity of the victim as being 24 year-old woman Shaema Hashem Rahman of Henderson.

Wellington, Jan 1 NZPA - Tall Blacks guard Michael Fitchett has been called into the New Zealand Breakers basketball squad as an injury replacement for CJ Bruton.

The World’s first commercial aviation test flight was a resounding success according to Dave Morgan, Chief Pilot for Air New Zealand.

In a two hour test flight, one of the 747’s engines was powered by a 50/50 blend of standard fuel with synthetic fuel made from the oil of jatropha plant seeds. This test of a second generation biofuel follows the testing of a Virgin Atlantic flight last year, which utilised coconut and babassu oil instead. This test flight was a joint venture involving Air New Zealand, Boeing, Rolls-Royce and Honeywell Company UOP, with support from Terasol Energy and according to the Chief Executive of Air New Zealand, Rob Fyfe; it was a significant milestone toward a more environmentally sustainable company. Thanks to this test however, it is a milestone for more than just the company. With corporate entities not only acknowledging the alternatives to fossil fuels but actually attempting to use them commercially, this is a significant step for the planet toward a more sustainable future.

15 December 2008 - Waiheke residents and visitors to the island will soon be able to enjoy faster boarding times thanks to the newly constructed two-tier bridge at Matiatia wharf.

Wellington, Jan 1 NZPA - Two restaurant workers appeared in New Plymouth District Court today charged with the rape of a Hawera woman.
Indian nationals Kumwar Singh, 34, and Kamal Singh, 30, were charged with sexually violating a 22-year-old Hawera woman early on Christmas Day.