Winds of up to 160km/h blew through the fire area this morning.

Some residents are now being allowed through the fire cordon 17km from Lake Ohau.

Funding was officially locked in yesterday for Christchurch's new multi-use arena.

46 homes were destroyed, with thousands of hectares surrounding the village scorched.

Stunned locals describe 'cars that look like a Molotov cocktail exploded inside them'.

The blaze has chewed through an area of around 1608ha Fire and Emergency NZ says.

'It was pretty dramatic,' says family who had camped about 5km across the lake.

The group of ocean dippers meets every week, togs and towels ready to go.

Clint Hoeben died in the horror crash during the coronavirus national lockdown.

Some residents say their land is "worth nothing" because of problems with the road.

'We need the knee off our neck': medical chief welcomes cash, but says it's not a panacea.

Recovery mission has reached critical point underground.

South Island's legendary big cat allegedly spotted at a Christchurch quarry.

Talks not over, but families and survivors suggest they want him in NZ.

Search for missing woman Melissa Ewings scaled back after phone found.

Son-in-law and daughter were trusted with bank accounts.

Icy winds will round out the month, with some in the South Island in for a freezing night.

Phone tracked to within 100m of Melissa Ewings' house - but no sign of her.

Melissa Ewings, 31, hasn't been seen for eight days despite an extensive police search.

'In places with snow and forecasted southwesterlies it will get pretty heinous.'

Flights to Queenstown and Invercargill have now been cancelled.

A local said it would have been better to have no cycle lane at all.

A rapidly deepening low has hit with heavy rain, gales, snow - and cold temperatures.

Authorities are taking no chances with Auckland Harbour Bridge as gales threaten.

Police operation after reported 'water incident' stood down at 10.30pm.

Lauren Biddle, 22, died in Christchurch in 2018.

Sir Richie, Jordie... the popular summery fixture is back - but who's landed the big game?

On Sunday she told a friend she was going for a walk, but has not been heard from since.

'I'd like to go to prison,' father Niklas Gebhardt tells judge.

Residents complained of squatters, rubbish, vermin, and, in some cases, faeces.