Helicopters are getting ready to go up and give emergency workers an overview of any fresh destruction.

Tropical downpours are drenching the north of the North Island as thunderstorms loom over Northland, Auckland and Waikato.

Son reeling after family home containing all of late father's belongings razed.

A quieter night for firefighters as the deadly Port Hills wildfire enters its fifth day.

Watch: The wildfire races across a section of the Port HIlls, growing in intensity, in the timelapse footage.

Civil Defence's reports of houses destroyed by fire and evacuations over the past 24 hours have varied wildly.

A Christchurch couple who were told that their home was lost in the Port Hills blaze, just hours after finally insuring it, appear to have had a lucky escape.

The gorse, grass and pines on the Port Hills are ideal plants to fuel the wildfires sweeping through the area.

A photographer who surveyed the damage of the Port Hills fire from the air has shared the incredible images that show the devastation.

Kiwis are showing their support for those affected by the Port Hills fire and the firefighters working to put it out by making a statement

The ongoing firefighting effort includes 15 helicopters and planes - the maximum number that can safely be in the air at any one time.

With a raging wild fire surrounding the Christchurch Adventure Park, the future is uncertain for the fledgling business.

As a white shape emerged through the smoke, a stressed Port Hills homeowner saw what he needed to see: his family home of 20 years had survived the fire. So far.

Contact the SPCA if you need a temporary home for a fire-evacuated pet

Cameraman says Sugarloaf seems to be the hottest part of the fire.

Chaos and cordons as evacuated locals try to find out how their homes survived the night.

As fire spread down the hills above his beloved historic Ohinetahi homestead and gardens, Sir Miles Warren wasn't going anywhere.

Prime Minister Bill English has scrapped his day's schedule to head to Christchurch instead.

Lianne Dalziel says rubberneckers aren't helping and people need to 'stay at a distance' from the fires.

In the midst of the raging inferno enveloping Christchurch's picturesque Port Hills, came a new life.

Civil Defence minister questions the emergency response to the Port Hills fires, which have destroyed five houses and caused hundreds to flee.

People, including Defence Force firefighters, and equipment is being deployed to help contain the wildfires.

Three investigations are underway into how a helicopter pilot and war hero died fighting a fire, as Army chief Major General Peter Kelly pays tribute.

Charges have been laid against a Timaru lumber yard in which a toddler died when a log fell on him last year.

Helicopters with monsoon buckets are back in the air today as more than 100 residents of a Christchurch seaside community were evacuated from an approaching blaze.

Four homes were evacuated, but residents have since returned to their homes.

New Zealand is now experiencing the worst of the fire season, a top officer says, with a dangerous combination of high temperatures and low relative humidity creating tinder-dry conditions across eastern hot-spots.

He carried the All Blacks to two world titles, now Richie McCaw is flying people around two huge Port Hills fires.

With a fire scarred home behind them, a Christchurch couple contemplate how close they were to losing their home.