Hundreds of people continue to walk the tracks in the Waitakere Ranges and as Nita Black-Persen reports, not everyone knows about the rahui or the spread of kauri dieback disease.

Farmers struggling with drought in the lower North Island are hoping rain forecast for the coming days will go some way in mitigating the tough dry conditions they're dealing with, as the Taranaki Federated Farmers president, Donald McIntyre explains.

Helicopters have resumed bombarding a large grass fire on Mt Roy, on the outskirts of Wanaka this morning. RNZ reporter Logan Church discusses fire conditions in the South Island.

The timing couldn't be worse for the tennis organisers with rain already disrupting this year's women's tournament with more wet weather expected later in the week, reports Matt Chatterton.

A former Australian deputy prime minister says the USA is perpetuating a diplomatic insult to his country by failing to appoint an ambassador to Canberra.

The man who built the controversial track says it's possible to remove it but it won't be easy. Meanwhile Erik Frykberg reports competing petitions for and against saving the perpetuate talks about its future.

DOC technical advisor Keith Briden warns of the major environmental dangers if Christmas trees are ditched in the wrong place.

While some people are enjoying a summer break, workaholics may be struggling to relax and make the most of the holidays.

An Auckland iwi fears there are mixed messages about what walkers and trampers should do in Auckland's Waitakere Ranges because of kauri dieback disease.

Iran's supreme leader accuses the country's enemies of stirring days of protests that's estimated to have claimed at least 22 lives.