Latest from South Island

Weather: State of emergency declared for the West Coast

Communities could be cut off by the severe flooding expected with the heavy rainfall.

Celebrating Tuesday, unaware it was Wednesday: Drink driver sentenced

Drunk driver tells police he'd been drinking to celebrate Tuesday - but he was a day late.

White supremacist standing for school board prompts call for rule change

Philip Arps was sentenced to 21 months in prison in 2019.

Focus Morning Bulletin: 16 August, 2022

Gaurav Sharma's job on the line as PM calls caucus meeting, secret cameras record 50,000 Auckland drivers unlawfully using phones & significant rain forecast right through to the weekend. Video / NZ Herald

Junior rugby players in tears after coach allegedly attacked

Assault alleged after coach finished refereeing a game for eight-year-olds.

Hit-and-run: Police release images, seek driver who struck woman and fled

Woman suffered moderate injuries after being struck in hit and run incident

Pilot and passenger survive plane crash near Nelson Lakes

"They're alright," a nearby helicopter company said.

Horror plunge: Kiwi student's sickening injuries, foot amputation in US

A woman who fell while rock climbing in US broke nearly every bone in her body.

Blackmail targets 'naive' victims on NZ social media

Three victims have fallen prey to online scams after sharing explicit pictures.

'The best father': Pilot killed in crash leaves huge hole in family and community

Family of Franz Josef pilot Tim Gibb - killed in a plane crash last week - pay tribute.

Despair over low election candidate numbers

A considerable number of council seats across New Zealand have no candidates.

Man accused of killing Invercargill dad named

Victim described as 'the most beautiful soul and proud dad you could ever meet'.

'Epic skiing': Southern skifields extend seasons

Lifts on 'fantastic' snow-blanketed slopes will remain operating into October.

Focus: Fog blankets Auckland while winter blast brings big chill

Fog continues to blanket Auckland while heavy snow warnings have been put in place across the South Island as a cold blast sweeps up Aotearoa. Video / George Heard / NZ Herald

Fatal crash wouldn't have occurred in any other helicopter: coroner

Coroner also calls for black boxes to become mandatory for all helicopters.

Live: Winter blast brings big chill, heavy rain, Auckland fog

Fog restrictions are in place at Auckland Airport early this morning.

Party drug capital: Top city for MDMA use in NZ revealed

Wastewater testing finds the centres flush with meth, cocaine and mollies.

Sweet 16 and never been skiing: Discovering the southern delights

A family skiing trip to Queenstown and Wānaka is a mid-winter reset for all.