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.

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

A health warning has been issued for a toxic algae bloom in a Canterbury river.

A person has died after a truck crash near Christchurch.

Kaikoura quake damage to businesses has topped $900 million, according to insurance figures.

A Kaiapoi home has been extensively damaged by fire in a large blaze overnight.

Court staff across NZ have been issued a reminder to adhere to a long-forgotten protocol designed to prevent lawyers from "judge shopping".

The death is not believed to be suspicious, a police spokeswoman said.

Police fear opportunist thieves may target a North Canterbury region hit by a power cut today. A power cut is affecting the wider

Workers repairing the New Brighton Pier will be inside watertight tubes on the seabed.

A man has died in one of two serious truck crashes that have closed roads in Timaru and Taranaki this morning.

Troubled schools: A school where teachers were allegedly given "illegal" payments is one of nine under Government control.

An elderly Kaiapoi man who had been missing since this morning has been found safe and well. Earlier today, police said they had