A young New Zealander who died in Thailand last month had a highly infectious virus which can spark the heart condition which killed her, tests show.

There is no connection between February's Christchurch earthquake and the massive Japanese quake, scientists say.

How the tsunami is impacting Pacific Rim locations such as Hawaii, Guam, North and South America, Tahiti and New Zealand.

The tsunami has reached North Cape, Raoul Island, Great Barrier Island, East Cape and Tauranga.

As many as 6000 New Zealanders could be in quake-stricken Japan, says New Zealand's ambassador there.

Even in a nation accustomed to tremors, yesterday's massive earthquake in Japan, and the tsunami it triggered, were terrifyingly different.

Japan's biggest quake since records began triggered a shocking 10m tsunami. See how the quake ranks in history.

A 10-metre-high tsunami ploughed into the Japanese coast on Friday, dashing ships into the shore, washing away houses and leaving devastation in its wake.

Police today released the names of six more people who died in Christchurch's February 22, magnitude 6.3 earthquake, while Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced 110 schools in the region will have reopened by next week.

Sometimes it's refreshing to be left to your own devices - but not necessarily when you're sitting on an elephant, writes Christine Cornege.

A fifth tourist has died in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in circumstances eerily similar to New Zealander Sarah Carter's mysterious death - which health officials initially blamed on food poisoning.

A Chinese businessman has donated $100,000 to the Christchurch earthquake appeal after reading about the numerous Chinese people killed or missing.

The father of New Zealand tourist Sarah Carter wants the Thai hotel she stayed in closed and a more thorough investigation carried out into her death.

Trekking through the Altai Mountains on horseback is a unique experience, finds Ian D. Robinson.

Four people have died in mysterious circumstances at the Thai hotel where a New Zealand woman fell fatally ill last month.

A few key principles make for better relationships.

Art with a conscience is Tiffany Singh's passion. We find out what else the artist is into.