Details of a police shooting in Christchurch on Saturday night will be kept hidden for at least a week after a court imposed a blanket

The young son of murder victim Alexsis Tovizi is among scores of traumatised children in desperate need of counselling after last November's earthquake.

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.

Firefighters were forced to break into a Bishopdale flat prevent a fire while the couple inside slept.

Community Board member Darrell Latham knows the relocation of the school is a difficult decision but says it is the wrong one.

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.

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

Police hold concerns for missing Kaiapoi pensioner.

A close family member of a businessman who died worth $100m is expected to face drugs charges in Christchurch.

The fight for a better summer is going all the way to the Beehive.

A Christchurch Lotto player is $1million richer after winning tonight's First Division.

Bank staff in Christchurch were threatened with a firearm in an armed robbery in Christchurch this afternoon, police say.

When Sarah Maindonald began working as a counsellor 24 years ago, she saw teenagers struggling with mental health issues, but barely ever a child.

The University of Canterbury has revealed its new post-earthquake design.

Highway crashes in Canterbury and Hawke's Bay are causing traffic delays this afternoon.

A driver allegedly assaulted another driver after they were involved in a crash in Christchurch this afternoon.