A tourist driver who arrived from Australia early in the morning and hired a rental car, fell asleep at the wheel - causing a head-on crash that killed his mother.

A mother whose 12-year-old daughter died in a triple fatal car crash says her personal tragedy showed how tight-knit communities can help people survive extreme trauma.

Iain Rennie made a "miscalculation" in allowing a joint press conference over Roger Sutton's resignation, but he should not stand down, John Key says.

Two people are dead and two others critically and seriously injured after a cluster of car crashes in Canterbury overnight.

This town has big money, great pubs and cottage industries, discovers Elisabeth Easther.

For rural friendliness and city fun, this gem has it all, finds Elisabeth Easther.

Nearly 100 jobs are set to go at Work and Income - but the government says even more new roles will be created.

Three men have been arrested following a Christchurch street brawl in which pot plants, a spade, baseball bat and a metal street sign pole were used as weapons.

A man is dead and three people have been injured in a two-car crash on State Highway 1 in Canterbury.

Abandoned earthquake-damaged homes in Christchurch's residential red zone are being booby-trapped in a mystery that has so far baffled police.