Stories by Andrew McRae

After a series of suspicious fires around Lake Taupō, the hunt for a culprit continues, but police say it's too early to say there's a serial arsonist at work.

It was double delight for the New Zealand men's and women's teams at the Hamilton Sevens, but they don't know where they'll be defending their titles next year.

Auckland marks its anniversary today with its annual regatta on the Waitematā Harbour and Hauraki Gulf.

A large grey concrete wall in Hamilton has been transformed by what's thought to be one of the biggest murals in the country.

New Zealand Sevens rugby will come of age this weekend as it celebrates its 21st birthday at the World Rugby Sevens tournament being played in Hamilton.

It has been 100 days since mayors in cities and districts took up their roles. RNZ's Andrew McRae looks into how some of the newbies are coping in their new roles.

A new trade deal between the United States and China has sparked some concern about just how it might affect New Zealand.

New Zealand fire fighters are contending with long days and tiring work as they help their trans-Tasman colleagues fight the worst bush-fire season on record.

A large grey concrete wall in central Hamilton will be transformed in January one of the largest murals ever painted in New Zealand.

An interactive website has been launched featuring the history and largely-untold stories of the Waipā district in Waikato.

Some of the world's top track cyclists are in Cambridge over the next three days competing in the fourth round of the Track Cycling World Cup.

The Islamic Womens' National Council wants the proposed second tranche of new gun legislation to stand or fall on its own merits without using the Christchurch attacks to justify it.

The Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom says planned changes to gun legislation are racist, undemocratic and poorly thought out. It has now made a submission to a select committee.

Residents of a quiet Tauranga street have described the man shot by police yesterday as a bit of a recluse.

In what is a first in this country, a casino is applying to increase the number pokie machines it has in return for closing down some table games.

Proposed changes to tenancy laws will go some way in better balancing the relationship between tenant and landlord, says one renter.

A giant oceanic manta ray has washed up on a Northland beach this week.

Syphilis is on the rise in this country with the number of cases soaring in the past six years.

A political communications analyst says voters may be overwhelmed by the prospect of two referendums and a general election at the same time next year.

Forest & Bird are calling for better protection of an endangered native bat in Hamilton.

Mike Ledingham was eight when he was first abused at a Catholic school. He wants the church to pay for reparations to victims and for investigations into historic offending.

Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft says the state care system has failed children and by implication, so has his office.

A woman who spent many years in care and in a psychiatric hospital has outlined years of abuse and humiliation to the Royal Commission into abuse in state and faith-based care.

An indigenous studies researcher says the formation of criminal gangs can be traced back to the historical state care of young people, particularly Māori.

A psychologist says research refutes the commonly held belief that some children are better off remaining with their family when they are severely and persistently maltreated, than in care of the…