An open-ended sentence is being considered for a teenager who raped a 17-year old woman and a young girl who jumped out of a speeding car to escape him.

For many people in Canterbury, the earthquakes of September 2010, February 2011 and later had little or no effect.

A South African woman who has been accused of importing heroin with a street value of $1.2 million has had a hospital bedside court hearing.

Elisabeth Easther explores an outdoor oasis nestled in North Canterbury.

A Christchurch couple's red zoned house will be auctioned tonight with a $1 reserve, but buyers have so far shown little interest.

The return of a contract to New Zealand to make Poppy Day poppies is being celebrated by veterans.

One person has died in a crash in Canterbury this morning. The crash occurred on Bealey Rd, near Darfield, around 8.20am, police said.

A woman who is subject to "the most extensive list of trespass notices in Christchurch", including schools, has been charged with assaulting a 10-year-old girl.

An elderly truck driver today admitted he did not see a cyclist that he ran over and killed nearly three months ago.

A 'plane' reported to have crashed into the sea in North Canterbury this morning was actually a Google wifi balloon.

Glenn Cullen skis down steep slopes and dreams of what Porters could become with a bit of work.

The Earthquake Commission has been able to increase its reinsurance cover after securing better terms in its latest annual round of negotiations.

New Zealand recorded a $1.4 billion current account surplus in the March quarter, the largest ever.

An office worker who stole $1.1 million from a Canterbury family firm to fund a spiralling gambling addiction has lost an appeal against her jail sentence.

A mother and daughter killed when a Dutch driver allegedly ran a stop sign have been laid to rest today.

More than 100 insurance claims have already been lodged with AA Insurance today for damages to roofs, windows and fences from the overnight storm.

One of New Zealand's most notorious female fraudsters has lost an appeal against her jail term for working as a prostitute while on home detention.

All residents of a Christchurch rest home have been given antibiotics to curb an outbreak of strep A after the deaths of five elderly women.

Elderly dementia patients have been evacuated from their Canterbury rest home after it was flooded overnight in a torrential rainstorm.

A touching musical tribute today farewelled a "fun-loving, extroverted 12-year-old girl who enjoyed life" before she was killed in a horrific crash last weekend.