Heavy rain expected in some parts of NZ today.

“We are no longer getting what we paid for.”

Lawrence Rangiwai died in 2021 after his caregiver pushed him into a glass ranch slider.

A child from Western Australia's West Kimberley region has died of the mosquito-borne Murray Valley encephalitis.

Western Australia's Department of Health confirmed the child had been receiving care in a hospital in Perth before their death.

A statement from the department said the child was potentially exposed to infected mosquitoes in the West Kimberley, which takes in a vast swathe of northwestern Australia.

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The department noted Murray Valley encephalitis is "very rare" in the state, and the child is only one of two to have contracted the disease in the past six years.

Eight people around the country have contracted the disease this calendar year.

Most people bitten by mosquitoes infected with Murray Valley encephalitis do not develop symptoms greater than minor swelling and irritation.

For some, symptoms first develop one to two weeks after being bitten, and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches.

Others can develop more serious symptoms including severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to bright lights, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness or coma.

The virus can result in death or long-term neurological complications.

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There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease, and the best defence is to avoid mosquito bites.

WA Department of Health's Director of Communicable Disease Control Dr Paul Armstrong said the case in the child follows detections of the virus in mosquitoes and chickens in the Kimberley and Pilbara.

"In young children, fever might be the only early sign of infection," Armstrong said.

"Parents should see their doctor or local health service if concerned, particularly if their child experiences drowsiness, floppiness, irritability, poor feeding, or general distress.

"People can minimise the risk of infection by taking measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes especially when they are most active between dusk and dawn."

Warding off mosquitoes will also protect people from infections like Japanese encephalitis or Kunjin virus.

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Four teens were arrested after cash and cigarettes were stolen from a Waikato supermarket.

A student pilot has explained how he survived a 500m plummet when his plane crashed in New South Wales.

27-year-old Jake Elven was on his second flying lesson in Sydney's southwest when the plane he was learning to fly in stalled, sending he and his instructor straight towards the ground.

Elven and the instructor survived the crash.

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After helping his seriously injured pilot get back to the airport and into a car, Elven drove himself an hour and a half to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

"I walked in the front door, I lost my shoes, I had blood everywhere and sticks everywhere," he told Today from his hospital bed.

"I told them I had a plane crash and they almost sent me to the psych ward."

He said the hospital arrival was hampered because he "couldn't find a car park for ages".

Elven said he decided to drive himself to a hospital near his house because he "couldn't be bothered" ending up at a hospital far from his home. 

He also gave some insight into how the crash unfolded, telling Today he couldn't believe he survived.

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"As soon as that prop (propeller) stops turning, and the plane goes dead silent and you're watching those big trees get bigger and bigger really quickly," ge saud,

"All I kept thinking was, 'Man, this is gonna hurt'.

"The last thing I remember is we hit the first tree, ripped the back of the plane and saw sunlight coming from all the wrong directions.

"I remember holding on and then waking up about 10-15 minutes later going, 'Holy crap, we made it!'"

"What? What!" the Today hosts replied, gobsmacked. 

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The student pilot even filmed himself at the sight of the crash after he woke up because he said it would "make a good story."

According to Elven the pilot had been "flying a long time" without any issues and said he would get back into a plane again as it was a "one in a million" accident.

"S— happens. But as bad as it could be, it couldn't have gone any better."

"We will have a go again and hopefully next time I crash even smoother."

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April Fools' Day seems like a fun idea, but for those afraid of being tricked, it's 24 hours of anxiety.

Concern rescuers will have to save people who risk their ‘stupid skins’ reaching base.

A man has been arrested after two boys were allegedly snatched from a home by an unknown person overnight in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region.

Western Australia police allege a 34-year-old man entered a Moora home – 177km north of Perth – and abducted an eight-year-old boy at 4am today.

It is also alleged the accused came back to the home and tried to snatch a 12-year-old boy, dragging him out of the home.

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"The 12-year-old managed to break free and ran back into the home to alert an adult, who then notified police," police said.

Police searched the area and found the eight-year-old boy at a nearby home several hours later.

"Both children were conveyed to hospital for a routine medical check," police said.

The man has been arrested and is helping police with inquiries.

"The man is not believed to be known to the two boys," police said.

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Michelle Darragh had two boys she adored, a heart of gold and a social work career that allowed her to help people in her community.

When her partner tried to take his own life in September 2021, she intervened and saved his life.

A month later he ended hers.

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Benjamin Coman, 31, was jailed for 25 years on Friday by Victorian Supreme Court Justice Andrew Tinney who described the violent killing of Darragh in her family home on October 9, 2021 as unforgivable.

In a courtroom packed with family, Darragh's mother Dianne burst into tears as the sentence was announced.

Her daughter loved her family, adored her sons and did good for the community by looking after other people's children. Now they are raising hers.

"I miss her so much," she said, supported outside court by her husband Ashley and their children Samantha, James and Aaron.

Darragh was 12 weeks' pregnant with her third child when she was murdered. She had ended her relationship with Coman and had gone to pick up clothes while her parents cared for her sons.

When she didn't return, family began to worry.

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Her father went to check on her and discovered her body.

That experience scarred his soul, he said.

Coman had stabbed Darragh three times with a carving knife while suppressing her screams.

She was entirely unsuspecting and innocent, and especially vulnerable because she was pregnant, Justice Tinney said.

Coman, 31, had experienced a deterioration in his mental health in the lead-up to Darragh's murder.

Psychiatrist Dr Andrew Carroll said Coman had developed psychotic depression, including paranoia, voices, hallucinations and delusions, following years of drug use.

He had delusional beliefs Darragh was unfaithful and their children were not his.

But Justice Tinney said Coman was jealous and controlling for years, even before the psychosis.

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The court heard the couple had separated twice previously because of issues including Coman's drug use, his admission of going to brothels, and reckless spending of joint savings – including $82,000 on a car.

Coman's whole perception of Darragh was poisoned by his psychosis, according to Carroll, who said Coman was experiencing despair and resentment.

He had simmering anger that boiled over into acute rage, he said.

Coman admitted to police he had argued with Darragh but claimed he only stabbed her once and had not realised at the time.

But Justice Tinney said it was inconceivable Coman could not have been aware what he had done to Darragh.

Coman's father, a clinical psychologist, provided a lengthy reference for him during a pre-sentence hearing, the judge said.

Mr Darragh said Coman showed no remorse for his actions, and described the sentence as just.

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He apologised when one of the supporters cried out "suffer you dog" when Tinney announced the sentence.

Another said "thank you" as the judge left court.

Family wore orange ribbons for the hearing, in Darragh's memory.

"She was obsessed with orange, it was her favourite colour," Mr Darragh said outside court, prompting laughter from those who knew her best.

Coman was ordered to serve at least 20 years before he's eligible for parole.

Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Support is available from Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

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