The driver of the 4WD which got stuck in a North Canterbury river was breath-tested at the scene, and was over the limit, according to police.

A major medical marijuana trial is underway in New Zealand - testing the effects of a new cannabis gel on epilepsy patients.

This helicopter tour over the South Island was a star-studded affair.

Lotto players in Auckland, Paraparaumu, Nelson and Dunedin got a pleasant surprise tonight.

Thousands of punters turned out for Cup Day in Christchurch today.

The injured man has been taken to Christchurch Hospital

The motorcyclist killed in a crash on the Lindis Pass on Sunday was Stephen Ross Philip of Christchurch. Police named the 56-year-old

Police officer says in 23 years of policing, confrontational Gun City owner "would have been one of worst people he's ever dealt with".

Christchurch man allegedly gave marijuana to the 13-year-old boys at his house so they would be stoned enough to sleep with him.

A passenger has described the dramatic scenes when a bomb threat was made against a plane from Palmerston North to Christchurch this afternoon.

Only five days into November, 10 people have already died on our roads, and police fear another 60 to 70 people could be killed before the end of the year.

A man who led police on a dangerous 50km rampage through roadblocks, road works, a golf course and private houses has been jailed for three years.

Christchurch police are being investigated for pouring hundreds of litres of booze into a drain.

Nestled in berry country, this sunny town is bursting with Edwardian elegance, discovers Elisabeth Easther.

Relief could be on the way.

Three men appeared in court today after a series of drug raids across Christchurch by police yesterday.

Cash, methamphetamine, vehicles, synthetic drugs and at least one firearm were seized following a major police bust in Christchurch.

Exhumation is a "very difficult and very unpleasant" process that is deeply upsetting for family members, the trial into whether the body of Jamie Pooley should be dug up has heard.

A Christchurch man doesn't want to lay charges after being shot in the eye when he told a gunman "you may as well shoot me".

Digging up the body of a young Christchurch father five years after his death would be a "significant breach" of Maori custom, a court

The teenage son of a Christchurch man at the centre of a five-year exhumation row today made an emotional plea in court to say, 'Please leave my Dad in the ground'.

Digging up a young Christchurch father five years after he died would be "really unpleasant" and "devastating" for his whanau, a court

Jake Bailey inspired the world with an inspirational speech to schoolmates after being diagnosed with cancer. Now, he has signed a book deal.

A woman who wants to exhume the body of her partner says she was 'sidelined' by his family during the funeral arrangements.

Two families fighting over whether a young father's body should be exhumed so that he can be cremated have rejected a judge's offer to settle behind closed doors.

Mid Canterbury rugby player Kolinio Yabia Tamanitoakula is accused of assault with intent to commit rape in Gisborne in early October.

A man has been arrested after allegedly threatening staff with a suspicious bag in Christchurch this evening.

The incident in January was investigated, but in September police said no charges would be laid against the officers as there was "insufficient evidence".

An anonymous driver has added insult to injury by denting a Christchurch paramedic's car, then leaving her a note calling her car a "piece of s***".

Kiwi men are doing their bit for family planning, with an increasing percentage having "the snip", while fewer women are having their tubes tied, a new study indicates.