1Tributes are flowing for artist Ralph Hotere, who has died aged 81. A look back at his life and his work.

2A dramatic twilight rescue attempt at Piha Beach has failed to save the lives of two young men last night. A Piha resident is calling for better signage to make people more aware of the dangers of swimming there.

3Four people had a lucky escape this morning when mechanical difficulties forced their helicopter to land in Lake Rotorua.

4Analysis of the latest 3 News Reid Research poll which shows that John Key has bounced back and National could govern alone if an election were held tomorrow.

5The Warkworth man who shot his girlfriend dead as she photographed him posing with the gun has been granted parole. Justin Goldstone was convicted of the manslaughter of Samantha Henderson because he claimed it was an accident, but Samantha's parents are devastated that he is being released.

6Wild weather has left a trail of destruction across New South Wales. Two people have died, properties have been damaged and thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes.

7Fire fighters are battling to contain a huge fire near Matakana.

8Reeva Steenkamp's father has said he may one day find it possible to forgive Oscar Pistorius for killing his daughter, on the condition Pistorius tells the truth in court.

9The grieving relatives of stillborn babies today told Auckland Council staff of their anger and frustration at the destruction of their children's graves in Waikumete Cemetary by contractors.

10The finals of the 2013 National Kapa Haka Championships (Te Matatini) ended in Rotorua this evening with Te Toa Whakaihuwaka being crowned the winners.

11A mural by elusive graffiti artist Banksy, which vanished from a discount store's wall in London, has ended up in an auction house in Miami.

12Eleven fans were injured in a massive high speed collision that has overshadowed the Nascar race at Daytona.

13New Zealander Mike Allsop set himself the challenge of running seven marathons in seven days on seven different continents to raise money for the KidsCan charity for disadvantaged children. Today he arrived in Auckland to finish the final leg of his feat.