A teenager who flew into a rage when asked why she hadn't turned up to work at a salon has lost her bid for compensation.

A tiny colonial outpost today exerts a big pull on tourists, writes Don Donovan.

Clear, pollution-free skies has resulted in New Zealand beating Australia in an ultimate travel bucket list comprised by an influential news website.

The quake was 90km deep and was felt across the North Island, and as far away as Canterbury.