Find out how Christchurch services are functioning following Saturday's 7.1 quake and this morning's violent 5.1 aftershock

About 600 properties face isolation as floodwaters continue to rise in northern Victoria, Australia.

Three Gisborne teenagers died after a two-vehicle smash on one of the country's worst accident blackspots last night.

Aftershocks are continuing to hit Canterbury with one measuring 4.1 the latest in a series today that also included a 5.1.

Mayor Bob Parker says Christchurch city is coping "amazingly well" with the continuing fall-out from Saturday morning's earthquake.

The state of emergency in Christchurch has been extended a further seven days following an aftershock of 5.1 on the Richter scale this morning.

Police are investigating whether alcohol played a part in last night's two-vehicle crash on one of NZ's most notorious stretches of highway.

There is speculation that the fourth Bledisloe Cup test could be moved from Hong Kong to Europe due to poor ticket sales.

Stricken homeowners and workers will start receiving compensation and emergency payouts within days as Christchurch's earthquake bill threatens to exceed $2bn.

Politicians swooped into earthquake-ravaged Christchurch last night, visiting a shelter that descended into chaos at John Key's visit.

Three people are dead following a collision between a car and a ute in the Waikato tonight.

Workers worried about loss of pay following Saturday's earthquake could have a case for the Employment Relations Authority if their employer refuses to pay them.

Rebuilding up to 100,000 damaged and destroyed homes in quake-hit Canterbury could take years, a building executive says.

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen has confirmed his availability for New Zealand's two home soccer internationals next month.

Slips and surface flooding are causing havoc for motorists in the lower North Island as heavy rain and gale force winds sweep the region.