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.

Barney McDonald revels in a powder-perfect Mt Hutt day.

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.

Overstayer Thuvan Prawesh Sawal cut the throat of a fellow Sri Lankan and ordered a terrified friend to mop up the bloody mess, a court heard today.

Canterbury dairy farmer Sameera Chandrasena Battelage was "like a brother" to one man standing trial for his murder, a court heard 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.

The final cordon around Christchurch's quake-damaged city centre was lifted today, bringing to an end the Defence Force's longest-ever domestic deployment.