A jury is deciding whether a Christchurch drilling boss who detained two thieves caught siphoning fuel did so legally and with reasonable force.

Christchurch jurors waiting for a trial to begin are rudely interrupted by a woman who burst into the jury room and locked herself in the toilet.

Christchurch's Student Volunteer Army has adapted its mandate from providing quake relief to a more long-term community service model.

A Christchurch pensioner "roughed up'' by armed police while protecting his quake-hit property has welcomed watchdog findings which slams the officers' actions.

Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee has hinted he will not interfere with the rebuild of Christchurch's Town Hall.

An aerial grand traverse of Mt Cook offers a new high peak perspective, writes Paul Rush.

Mirages are not just seen in the desert, as Justine Tyerman discovers.

A jury in the High Court at Christchurch returned the guilty verdicts for co-accused Thuvan Prawesh Sawal, 24, and Viraj Alahakoon, 35, this afternoon.

The fate of two men charged with murdering Canterbury dairy farmer Sameera Chandrasena Battelage boils down to 'Who is the liar?', a court heard today.

A weaker New Zealand dollar and signs of life in the US housing market have combined to drive the share price of timber products group Tenon higher.

Thuvan Prawesh Sawal took the passport of Sameera Chandrasena Battelage after slitting his throat, perhaps with designs on stealing his identity, a court heard today.

Thuvan Prawesh Sawal had no motive to murder his mate, Canterbury dairy farmer Sameera Chandrasena Battelage, his defence argued today.

Christchurch City Council will continue to issue building consents despite losing its accreditation, but has seen its credit rating downgraded today.

Don Kavanagh falls in love with cross-country travel the way people used to do it.

A luxury lodge in Canterbury has survived earthquake damage to be named home of one of the top suites in the world.

Christchurch council boss Tony Marryatt has taken leave over the building consents debacle as an urgent inquiry is launched to see if any buildings are dangerous.

Christchurch City Council had its building consents accreditation removed because it was granting consents that could potentially put people and property at risk, International Accreditation New Zealand says.

A Canterbury dairy farmer who was brutally murdered was dead before his body was set on fire, a court has heard.

Police have named the man who died in a collision between a four-wheel drive vehicle and a truck and trailer unit in south Canterbury at the weekend.

A man accused of murdering Canterbury dairy farmer sounded shocked when a friend told him the farmer had been found dead, saying, "Don't lie, man," a court has heard.