Travel is safer now, so fewer of us are dying in large-scale disasters, but climate change could reverse the trend.

Large fires near the Hanmer Springs turnoff on the Lewis Pass Rd have brought traffic to a standstill and cut power in the area.

No parole for man who kidnapped and stabbed pie delivery driver Marteine Robin in March 2012.

Driver, 14, likely to be referred to Youth Court after crash that killed three.

A dognapped pooch sold within hours of going missing is back with her family.

A man suffering serious injuries is to be flown to hospital after a car fire in Canterbury.

A fire service spokesman said the injured person suffered burns to their arm.

A Christchurch family is pleading for the safe return of their son's ashes after burglars stole them.

A South Canterbury farmer is looking for an employee capable of wearing his pants around his bum - instead of his knees. He also

While cordons on the Port Hills have been relaxed, Civil Defence says non-residents are still banned from the area

Hero chopper pilot Steve Askin was a man who valued serving others, father Paul says.

Chris Buick's attack on his heavily-pregnant former partner only stopped when she lay on the ground and pretended to be dead.

Amazing aerial footage shows the extent of the fire damage in the Port Hills.

Police are appealing for information on the death of Nicole Morris last month.

A woman was able to flee a sexually motivated assault, by biting the man who was attacking her.

A Christchurch doctor will go to trial this year on charges he indecently assaulted male patients.

Effort to cap rates didn't quite work out as planned this year.

Firefighting operations could continue at Port Hills for up to a month.

Courtney Whitaker steps back into Christchurch's history and sees its future.

A major hydroponic cannabis growing operation, with more than 800 plants, has been found by police in South Canterbury.

Burned vegetation clear in satellite images of Christchurch Port Hills.

American tourists are the most seriously injured in yesterday's horror bus smash.

Firefighters are pulling back from the Worsleys area, as the situation in Christchurch continues to improve.

Watch: The bus, carrying more than 30 people, collided with a car just after 5pm and crashed down a bank.

Police and the Armed Offenders Squad swarmed a Canterbury property today, only to find no one there.

Justice Minister Amy Adams' passionate plea to Bruce Springsteen went unanswered - the closest she got to him was on the big screen.

Watch live: For the sixth anniversary of the February 2011 earthquake the new Canterbury Earthquake Memorial wall is being unveiled today.

Reporter Georgina Campbell was sent down to Christchurch to help cover the Port Hills fires. Here she tells what she saw.

The Port Hills will be in a state of emergency for another seven days after last week's fire.

While firefighters are making progress with the Port Hills fires, the fire area remains at 2075ha this afternoon.