Two men who died when the tow truck they were in rolled down a bank in a remote area east of Opotiki yesterday have been identified as Gordon Douglas Nelson, aged 67 and Frederick Michael Ruff, aged 70.

Both men were from Opotiki and Mr Nelson was the driver of the vehicle.

Answers given in Parliament today suggest Minister for Transport Gerry Brownlee has reversed his decision on the mothballed Gisborne-Napier railway, says New Zealand First.

Police have released the name of the motorist killed in a fatal crash on the Fairlie-Tekapo Road (SH8) in South Canterbury yesterday [Thursday 17 April].

She was Yulane Margaret Cadigan, aged 44, from Twizel.

Residents who are on the Acheron water supply are advised to begin boiling water.

Adverse weather conditions have increased the turbidity of this water supply.

The Government’s decision to "reprioritise" scarce labour inspector resources by abandoning the enforcement of Easter Sunday Shop Trading laws means workers can kiss goodbye to a guaranteed day off, says Labour’s Associate Labour Issues spokesperson Darien Fenton.

Power has now been restored to the all but a few small pockets of customers, the largest being 30 customers on Kahuranaki Road, where our crews are finishing the last of 30 repairs to restore supply.

At approximately 00:30am this morning, Emergency services were called to a workplace incident on the wharf at Wellington.

A 47yr old male, was killed when he was caught between a forklift and cargo during a warehouse packing operation.

More than sixty of New Zealand’s up-and-coming young baseball players will converge on Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland this weekend to prepare for their respective world championship baseball tournaments in the U.S.A.

Vector is pleased to advise that customers in the Mahurangi/Puhoi area have been fully restored as have customers in the Mangawhai and Titirangi areas.

The total number of customers remaining out is now down to under 1000.

Power has now been restored to the all but a few small pockets of customers.

The deep low currently west of New Zealand which has been bringing unsettled weather to many parts of the country (refer to latest Warnings and Watches for more details) should weaken and move across the lower South Island Saturday night.

Every month The Attic will release a new exclusive single by one of our favourite local artists. The A-side comprises an original recording of the band's output and to make things interesting, the B-side is a cover nominated by The Attic residents.

Labour is pleased to support action which will give proper recognition to the now famous Haka 'Ka Mate Ka Mate', said Labour’s Maori Development spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta.

Today marks two years since Labour MP Sue Moroney's Bill extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks was drawn from the members' ballot.

"It’s time the Government acted in the interests of families," Sue Moroney says.

"Paula Bennett is today proudly telling New Zealand that beneficiary numbers have decreased by 15,000 in the past year. There is no proud declaration that 15,000 jobs have been created in the same period," says Auckland Action Against Poverty spokesperson, Alastair Russell.

Auckland Council’s ban on using legal highs in a public place is an excellent idea that should be replicated around New Zealand, says Labour’s Associate Health Spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway.

UnisonFibre has today confirmed the signing of an agreement with Telecom New Zealand that will support the growing use of fibre for education and business benefits across the Hawkes Bay, Rotorua and Taupo regions.

Although weather conditions have improved Auckland Civil Defence is asking drivers to take extra care on the roads with localised thunderstorms and rain expected between 3pm and 7pm.

Fourteen Kāpiti groups and individuals will undertake a wide variety of creative projects this year, thanks to receiving Creative Communities Scheme grants.

The Committee considered 21 applications and granted a total of $23,451.95 to the 14 successful recipients.

Kiwi taxpayers have been robbed of $130 million by the Government in its final failed asset sale, says Labour’s SOEs spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove.