1Tight new restrictions on home loans have been revealed by the Reserve Bank this afternoon, putting home ownership even further out of reach for most first home buyers.

2The Government will effectively offer interest-free loans to Meridian Energy investors to ensure that 85% of shares are sold to New Zealanders. Opposition parties say the move smacks of desperation.

3Cricketer Jesse Ryder has been suspended from the game for six months after taking a weight-loss product containing banned substances.

4Prime Minster John Key and Labour Leader David Shearer breached a gentleman's agreement not to reveal details of a private meeting they had about the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) Bill.

5An elderly American skier survived the night with serious injuries despite bone-chilling temperatures on Treble Cone ski field near Wanaka.

6Experts are predicting White Island could erupt within the next few days after the volcano came to life again this morning.

7The Tauranga Police officer who risked his own life to save a drowning man following a car crash earlier this month has spoken about the ordeal.

8Labour Leader David Shearer brought dead snapper into Parliament today to protest Government plans to reduce the recreational snapper quota.

9Police have praised members of the public who helped save the life of a man left bleeding from a gunshot wound in a car in Glen Innes.

10The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has criticised Police for using excessive force when dealing with elderly man John Bennett, who was investigating suspicious noises outside his house.

11Five more girls have come forward in relation to a Hutt Valley man accused of using a fake Facebook profile to groom underage victims.

12Two brown bears have been rescued from floodwaters in Russia.

13Prince William has spoken about parenthood for the first time since the birth of Prince George last week.

14Engineers say the risk of a dam overflowing on a farm near Seddon should be minimal by Thursday.

15Christchurch City Councillors appear to be deadlocked over whether the Christchurch Town Hall should be rebuilt or demolished.

16Maritime New Zealand has charged fishing company Sanford Limited with dumping oil at sea. The allegations relate to a chartered South Korean-flagged vessel, Pacinui.

17Macy, a Tauranga Labrador has saved the life of Rory the cat by donating blood. Rory was desperately ill after ingesting rat poison. Cats do not have antibodies that reject dogs' blood, so a transfusion may buy enough time for the cat to regenerate its own red blood cells. But only one transfusion can be performed because a second dose of dog blood will be the death of the cat.