High winds to bring more misery to fire crews fighting bush blazes today, but no rain where it is needed.

The Airways Radar is also under threat from one of the two major bush fires burning near Christchurch.

A body has been discovered in North Hagley Park in Christchurch this morning.

Christchurch and Japanese academics are developing new drone technologies that would be able to locate people buried in wreckage following natural disasters.

In the past year this health board has agonised over its finances and where budgets should be boosted or cut - all behind closed doors.

The shallow, snaking, braided channels of Canterbury's Waimakariri River - and the heavily-developed pastureland around it - have been captured by a NASA satellite.

Scientists have ruled out any suggestion this morning's 5.2 quake was linked to the mass whale stranding at Farewell Spit.

Nobody appears to have been injured in a one-car crash near Twizel this afternoon.

Police investigations are ongoing following the discovery of a body in a shed fire in Hoon Hay yesterday morning.

Kiwi scientists could soon have a new way to safely get an up-close look at erupting volcanoes: send in the drone.

A convicted killer has today admitted going on a prison rampage that caused $6000 worth of damage in December.

Businessman charged with paying underage girls for sex can now be named.

A person is dead after a shed fire in Christchurch this morning.

Pass rates for the controversial MCAT exam, which reduced some students to tears, are higher than previous years.

A second US ship is on its way to New Zealand waters, following last year's warship visit.

Pollution experts are being called in to deal with sticky residue left in water used to fight a major fire.

Anxious wait over for 7500 top students who will get their scholarship results today.

A man who denies indecently assaulting a girl during a school holiday programme can be named today.

The sun has come out to play and is here to stay, with a scorcher of a long weekend across the country.

COMMENT: Many people seem to freeze like a possum in the headlights at the idea of reading their insurance policy.

A 24-year-old Christchurch man who was shot by police this morning has been charged with pointing a firearm at police. Police shot

A fire burning on the tracks of the Christchurch to Greymouth rail line has brought the TranzAlpine and some freight services to a

Three ambulances take crash injured to hospital.

Concerts and other events could be held in the residential red zone to take pressure off Hagley Park.

The third serious house fire in Canterbury this week has badly damaged a home. Police suspect arson.

The weather's going to be (finally) glorious for most of the country.

Three people have been treated for minor injuries after a bus crash near Lake Tekapo.

Firefighters were forced to break into a Bishopdale flat prevent a fire while the couple inside slept.

Community Board member Darrell Latham knows the relocation of the school is a difficult decision but says it is the wrong one.

Former employees of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority will be probed over allegations they used their positions to benefit their private property dealings.