Woman charged with murder after 8yo dies, a vegetation fire prompts evacuations in Canterbury, and one tough summer wedding season ahead.
1 Woman charged with murder after boy, 8, dies in alleged Whakatāne assault
A homicide investigation was launched after police were called to Whakatāne Hospital at 5.30pm on November 15, where an eight-year-old boy died after an alleged assault.
A 25-year-old woman initially charged with assault was today charged with his murder.
A second woman, 61, was arrested this morning and charged with manslaughter.
2 'Appalling': Police officers assaulted at Dunedin checkpoint
A vehicle evaded the Green Island checkpoint yesterday, with the driver allegedly refusing the roadside test and then refusing to go with an officer for an evidential test.
An altercation ensued with one officer suffering an injured shoulder and two others receiving moderate head injuries. Senior Sergeant Karl Hemmingsen described the assault as a a "volatile and violent situation".
"I’m so proud of the actions of the officers and incredibly grateful that their injuries weren’t worse."
3 Kiwi rescue pilot helps save couple stalked by crocodile in Queensland
Michael Adair, who was completing his final assessment with LifeFlight Queensland, was called to save a couple stranded in an area with crocodiles for three days after their 4WD was swept away.
"First sort of day on the job, first mission out the gate," Adair said, "It's a good one with a great outcome."
He said the couple were "pretty chirpy" when they saw the helicopter.
"Most people are when they see a helicopter turn up. I just said, 'Hey, it's OK. You're going to be rescued'."
4 West Melton fire: Crews race to dampen hotspots as wind returns
Fire and Emergency NZ said the fire north of West Melton was reported around 9pm yesterday.
Around 30 residents were evacuated from a caravan park in The Willows area and nearby properties overnight. Up to 14 crews with trucks, tankers and heavy machinery worked to tackle the blaze at its peak.
The fire was declared as "contained" at around 10am this morning.
5 Sixteen arrests after dirt bikes cause disruptions across Auckland
Police said initial reports were made about the bikes at around 2.30pm in Ōtara, and more calls came as the bikes were ridden north into central Auckland, travelling around 70km through parts of the city.
Patrols were diverted to monitor the riders, including the Eagle helicopter and numerous ground units, said Counties Manukau District Prevention Manager Inspector Mark Chivers.
"It was very clear their behaviour was putting the wider community at risk, with bikes exceeding the speed limit, running red lights and riding dangerously."
ONE TOUGH WEDDING SEASON
Summer is wedding season but celebrants, wedding planners, caterers and the like say business this year is tough.
Greg Miller runs the restaurant on the Linden Estate winery in Esk Valley and said he's never had a season quite like it.
"Normally I would have done ten weddings by now, from August on, but I haven't done one yet. My first wedding's not until January. I've lost like a whole year and a half of weddings."
ONE BATTING CHANGE
Black Caps opener Devon Conway will miss the third Test against England as he awaits the birth of his first child in Wellington this week.
He will be replaced in the Test squad by Auckland Aces batter Mark Chapman, while Will Young is set to open the batting in Conway's place.
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