Canterbury
Prominent farming advocate dies in incident on farm
Chris Allen, 62, was a well-known and respected Canterbury farmer.
No contact yet as investigators probe fire cause, principal says
Papanui High School students were among those evacuated from the fire area but the school hasn't been approached.
Is this the next boom town for retirees?
The village has a permanent population of around 700 people, plus holiday homes, but it can swell up to 10,000 people during busy weekends.
Choppers called in to fight huge Canterbury fire
About 50 firefighters have been tackling the blaze overnight, with reinforcements expected on scene at first light.
Wilding pine control essential for preventing wildfires
A Canterbury official says the Bridge Hill fire would be much worse were it not for wilding pine control efforts.
Road and rain warnings from far south up to lower north
Drivers are being urged to take extra care on South Island roads, and warned that roads could close, as heavy rain and wind warnings spread orange and yellow across the MetService map.
Castle Hill fire remains too difficult to contain
Some members of the public were reported on the fringes of the exclusion zone around the fire at Cave Stream and were removed from the area with the assistance of police. Audio
Weekend weather: Settled on Saturday, blustery on Sunday
Strong norwesters are forecast across the east of New Zealand on Sunday, with severe downpours ahead for most of the West Coast.
'At least seven days' more battling Bridge Hill blaze for fire crews
The wildfire in Canterbury high country has grown to almost 1000 hectares as firefighters work to bring it under control.
Aoraki Mt Cook missing climbers believed dead in fall - police
Police do not believe that three missing climbers have survived a fall.
Waimate District Mayor speaks on 'do not drink' water notices
Around 650 households in the Canterbury town of Waimate are still under a "do not drink' notice - after nitrate levels exceeded the acceptable levels of 50 milligrams per litre of water. Unsafe levels… Audio
Temps rise, wind picks up, but fire crews hopeful
Firefighters plan to hit the Bridge Hill blaze hard over the weekend before conditions worsen next week.
Helicopter sent to search for missing climbers
Police on Friday morning are set to give an update on the state of the search for three men missing on Aoraki Mt Cook.
Firefighters to keep battling Bridge Hill blaze overnight
The 535ha blaze may reach Castle Hill village overnight, while Health NZ warns of the smoky conditions.
School blindsided by news drinking water off limits
Principal Kate Mansfield is still waiting on formal notification from the council about the nitrate levels. Audio
Crate Day drivers warned - Stay away from bird nests
A conservation group is worried about four-wheel drivers travelling up the Waimakariri River, where endangered black-fronted terns are nesting. Audio
Yanfei Bao murder trial: Tingjun Cao found guilty
Outside court, Bao's partner said Cao's actions had "highlighted a profound absence of humanity".
Friends of US climber missing on Aoraki Mt Cook 'shattered'
Michael Ackerman says Kurt Blair is "not the guy we expected this to happen to" as police hold grave fears for the three missing climbers.
Jury retires to consider verdict in Yanfei Bao murder trial
The Crown alleges Cao stabbed Bao and buried the 44-year-old in a shallow grave - he claims evidence was falsified.
Woman charged with ill-treatment of baby
A woman has appeared in court in relation to the death of an infant in Oxford earlier this year.
