South Canterbury Finance chief executive Sandy Maier became a director of Ngai Tahu Holdings the day after Allan Hubbard's finance company was placed in receivership.

Police Commissioner Howard Broad says New Zealand should remain a routinely unarmed police force - and that is something to be proud of.

Canterbury has been bolstered by the return of All Blacks Owen Franks and Brad Thorn for their first Ranfurly Shield defence.

Another aftershock has hit Christchurch late this afternoon.

The mother of a man fatally stabbed in Christchurch last year hugged her son's killer as he was jailed for at least 10 years.

New Zealand finished fourth among five nations tonight in the rhythmic gymnastics teams competition at the Commonwealth Games.

The Parole Board believes former Christian Heritage Party Leader Graham Capill is still a risk to the community.

Incumbent Bob Parker says he is "very humbled and very grateful" to be re-elected with such a "handsome" majority.

If he is afraid of spiders, our seemingly fearless leader wasn't showing it.

An historic Christchurch building damaged in last month's earthquake will be demolished.

Green MP Keith Locke is warning the Government the lawsuit it's bringing against the Waihopai spy base saboteurs may backfire.

Whitebait caught from sewage-contaminated rivers could end up on the plates of unsuspecting diners at restaurants and cafes.

Check out our Google map to see which areas have been hardest hit by aftershocks since the September 4 Christchurch earthquake.

Next time you're passing through Christchurch International Airport during the hours of darkness keep an eye out for the control tower.