Arlene Paredes

Wellington accommodations were very busy in February, with an occupancy rate of 71.4 per cent, Dominion Post reports.

Men are more inclined than women to spend 30 minutes in exercise daily, MyHealthNewsDaily reports. Women spent an average of 18 minutes a day for moderate-to-vigorous exercise, while men spent 30 minutes a day for moderate-to-vigorous exercise, a new U.S. study shows.

On American Idol's Top 7 performance night, most of the contestants brought out their big guns, ready for a serious competition. Skylar Laine wanted two strong weeks in a row, but drawing the first performance of the night does not always help the contestants. She brought in her guitar so at least she could show the audience something new. As far as the judges are concerned, she succeeded in showing America that she should not be overlooked in the show.

A proposed 3500-capacity National Convention Centre in Auckland is expected to draw more tourists to the city, generating significant revenues for the government, New Zealand Herald reports.

South Korean Defence Ministry spokesperson Kim Min-seok told reporters that North Korea's controversial and internationally-opposed rocket has been fired at 07:39 local time today, BBC reports. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) had imposed "no fly, no sail, and no fishing" in Luzon Thursday, lifted it around 1 p.m. and place it back again on Friday.

Two divers who were part of the salvage crew of the ill-fated MV Rena were fired recently after having wine inside one of the ship’s large containers.

Wellington actor and artist Grant Tilly, 74, succumbed to cancer Tuesday. Having starred in many stage and television productions including Foreskin's Lament, Mr Tilly is known for being a “force of nature” as an actor who portrayed convincing roles.

A Hawke's Bay orchard lost 1500 apple trees to vandals who cut the trees down one night over the weekend, leaving the owner and orchard workers baffled and devastated as to what could have gotten into the minds of the vandals.

A wasp plague could get someone "bloody killed" in Western Southland, Fairfax NZ News reports. Tuatapere farmer John Broughton spoke to Fairfax about the wasp problem in his rural town, which is making him worry for the safety of his family and his livestock.

The Australian government said stopping a group of Chinese asylum seekers setting sail for New Zealand is not covered by its legal authority.

Even a parliament member in New Zealand was not spared from the fraudulent ATM transactions done over the Easter break, victimizing up to 60 Kiwis in the past two days.

The Easter break horrified more than 60 Auckland bank depositors after discovering that money was taken from their account in the past two days, and a scam operation in Canada may be involved.

A bell was stolen from a chapel undergoing strengthening work in a Wellington suburb, and a $5000 reward has been raised by contractors to award to anyone who could return the item which could be worth only $300 if sold for scrap.

American Idol’s Top 8 picked songs from the 1980s on Wednesday’s performance night, and most of them delivered impressive numbers, with only one or two failing to make a mark on stage.

The parents of a Sydney toddler who disappeared over six years ago are not giving up on their search for their baby, even increasing the reward they would give to anyone who could give valuable information on the disappearance from $100,000 to $250, 000.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has said the death of a 26-year-old soldier outside of combat in Afghanistan, which “does not appear to involve the actions of another party" was "a very tragic circumstance.''

A meteor-like ball of light was seen travelling on Wellington sky, leaving what appeared to be a condensation trail as if the light came from an aircraft Monday night.

A soldier from New Zealand died in Afghanistan outside combat Tuesday, prompting an investigation as initial reports indicated the death did not involve anyone else.

A research in Auckland University shows the idea that there are more teens engaging in drug abuse and sex today is only an “urban myth.” However, today’s young people are facing a different set of serious issues and web of problems, including poverty, violence and alcohol, Fairfax NZ News reports.

Some pets are too dangerous to handle, as a male teen from Melbourne has seen for himself. A pet python owned by a 15-year-old Melbourne boy proved how dangerous it is to be taken care of when it bit its owner while he tried to clean the snake’s cage.

A Cambodian father is now wanted on child abuse charges after he chained his son to a power pole on the street after he learned that the boy skipped classes to play online games, AFP reports.

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett is not keen on supporting a shark cull even as at least one scientist has said it is likely that a great white shark had attacked and killed Peter Kurmann the past weekend, WA Today reports.

Two old friends from Auckland died in a plane crash yesterday after their recently purchased plane crashed into a paddock in what is believed to be a case of “a combination of bad weather and bad luck.”

It was as if Heejun Han's supporters agreed last week that it was time for him to go. He was in the bottom three again this week, and this time, he got the lowest number of votes.

A 2-yr-old toddler was going for his first skydive with his father yesterday, but his parents had decided to cancel because of “too much media hype.”

Cyberbullying is increasingly affecting mostly young girls who are not likely to speak openly about the bullies, teachers heard during a recently held conference at Auckland University.

Quickflix, the Australian counterpart of US-based Netflix -- which is known for its online DVD rental service -- is expected to launch in New Zealand on Thursday.

Those who get less than six hours of sleep or longer than eight hours are more prone to suffering heart problems than those who get six to eight hours of sleep every night, according to a study.

He got a transplant that could kill him any way, if he were not so lucky. New Zealand-born broadcaster Derryn Hinch, 67, risked suffering AIDS or hepatitis when he went under the knife for a new liver last year.