The victim of a crash on the corner of Queen St East and Oxford St in Levin on Tuesday can be named as Jennifer Katherine O’Neill.Police said they extended their sympathies to the 81-year-old’s loved ones and inquiries into the…

As school holiday travellers prepare to hit the road – and amongst the backdrop of a deadly end to September in which eight have died in fatal crashes just last week – motorists are being cautioned to drive to survive.The Ministry…

By Niva Chittock of RNZ Christchurch’s outgoing mayor shed a tear at her official farewell on Thursday.Lianne Dalziel was one of four outgoing council members who gave their valedictorian speeches.In the role since 2013, Dalziel…

A massive sinkhole directly above Sydney's West Connex tunnel has left hundreds of residents without water.

The 10m wide hole stretched across Lucas Road, Burwood, after two water and sewage pipes burst on Wednesday afternoon.

Residents from 75 homes were told the water supply would be restored by the morning but as they woke up, the taps were still dry.

READ MORE: Melissa Caddick's husband deleted texts sent night she disappeared

"You can't do anything at all, prepare breakfast or whatever, there's no water," resident Ernest Wong said.

Locals were forced to walk to the shops to use the bathroom or stock up on bottles water.

Meanwhile, some residents took extra precautions when they heard of the burst.

"Soon as I heard there was a problem there I opened the tap on the bath and filled it up," Victor Lopez said.

Sydney Water said crews remained on site as of 4.10pm on Thursday where they had identified two pipe breaks.

"Both pipes have now been isolated, with temporary water supplies restored to all impacted customers," a spokesperson said.

"Crews will continue to work through the night to safely complete these complex repairs, with restoration activities expected to continue for a number of days at the break site."

READ MORE: 'Trash patch' the size of Queensland floating off shore

Sydney Water apologised to all impacted customers as it is expected to take days until the pipes are fully repaired.

An exclusion zone was set up in case the sinkhole widens and deepens.

The M4 Westconnex Tunnel remains open despite sitting 40 metres below the burst pipes.

Lucas Street runs from Parramatta Road in Burwood down to the rail line.

A motor lodge receptionist who was yelled at in front of staff and guests for purchasing a pumpkin has been awarded more than $21,000. Michelle Smith was working at Fitzherbert Regency Motor Lodge [FRML] in Palmerston North when…

A court in military-ruled Myanmar has convicted former leader Aung San Suu Kyi in another criminal case on Thursday and sentenced Australian economist Sean Turnell to three years in prison for violating an official secrets law.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong called for Turnell's immediate release following the ruling.

"The Australian Government rejects today's court ruling in Myanmar against Australian Professor Sean Turnell and calls for his immediate release," she said in a statement.

READ MORE: 'Extraordinary' scenes as massive storm lands in Florida

Wong added Australian authorities were denied access to the court.

"We will continue to take every opportunity to advocate strongly for Professor Turnell until he has returned to his family in Australia," the statement said.

"Professor Turnell is internationally respected for his work to support the people of Myanmar and their economic development."

Wong also accused the Myanmar military junta of unjustly detaining Turnell.

Suu Kyi received a three-year sentence after being tried and convicted with Turnell under the secrets act, an official said, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to release information about the case.

Three members of Suu Kyi's Cabinet were also found guilty, each also receiving sentences of three years in prison.

READ MORE: Russia drafting retirees into army, telling conscripts to buy their own supplies

Turnell, an associate professor in economics at Sydney's Macquarie University, had served as an adviser to Suu Kyi, who was detained when her elected government was ousted by the army in 2021.

He was arrested five days later while waiting for a car to take him to the airport.

The exact details of the offence have not been made public, though state television said last year that Turnell had access to "secret state financial information" and had tried to flee the country.

READ MORE: 'Kids huddled under desks' as school shooter opens fire in California

Turnell and Suu Kyi both denied the allegations in the case when they testified in their defence in August.

Amnesty International called the trial a "sham" and demanded Turnell's release.

"Sean Turnell was denied a fair trial or adequate access to legal counsel and consular assistance," Amnesty International Australia Impact director, Tim O'Connor said.

"The proceedings have been an outright sham and Myanmar's military must immediately release Turnell so he can return to his family in Australia.



The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has confirmed today that two reserve soldiers “may be in Ukraine”.The discovery was the result of an investigation following the death of Corporal Dominic Abelen in Ukraine in August of this…

Police have rejected National MPs’ claims that dropping youth offending rates are based on a “don’t ask don’t tell approach” and that youth are getting off scot-free for their crimes. Representatives from police, the Ministry of…

Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson has been forced to back down on comments he made In Parliament yesterday suggesting that New Zealand radio and television were not trusted.He said yesterday the reason for the planned merger…

More than 1600 roads around Auckland have received approval for a speed limit change from Auckland Transport’s (AT) board today. The roads make up 19 per cent of AT’s road network and will be predominantly around schools. There…