Quakes and quakes, some flooding, more quakes, and now fires? Come on, Mother Nature, what's next?

Ten of eleven houses destroyed in Port Hills fire could have been saved had career firefighters not been sent home at the start of blaze, union bosses say.

The Port Hills inferno was so powerful that it was spreading up to 160m every minute at it's peak, and water firefighters put on it evaporated.

Smoky smells in Port Hills' properties does not pose a serious threat to health, authorities say.

Distraught residents of fire-ravaged Worsleys Rd are allowed back to visit their destroyed homes. Tristram Clayton was there with them when they discovered the extent of the damage.

Port Hills homeowners have this afternoon been allowed to return to their smouldering homes that have burned to the ground.

Frustrated homeowners still don't know whether their Port Hills homes are standing or have been ravaged by fire.

Contractors working in the area where the devastating fire first broke out on Monday pleaded for helicopters to be sent out, it can be revealed.

Plans are under way to get stranded residents back home, but winds may yet pose a danger.

Helicopters are getting ready to go up and give emergency workers an overview of any fresh destruction.

Tropical downpours are drenching the north of the North Island as thunderstorms loom over Northland, Auckland and Waikato.

Son reeling after family home containing all of late father's belongings razed.

Civil Defence minister wants the law governing emergencies improved.

A quieter night for firefighters as the deadly Port Hills wildfire enters its fifth day.

The Port Hills fires in Christchurch merged into one huge blaze, threatening houses and lives. About 1000 people left their homes as the fire reached 1850ha, creating a big challenge for firefighters. A state of emergency has been declared in Christchurch and Selwyn.

Allan Gibson, 82, disappeared from the Mayfair Lifecare rest home about 6.30pm yesterday.

Watch: The wildfire races across a section of the Port HIlls, growing in intensity, in the timelapse footage.

Civil Defence's reports of houses destroyed by fire and evacuations over the past 24 hours have varied wildly.

Tristram Clayton speaks to Civil Defence about the coordinated response to the State of Emergency in Christchurch.

The gorse, grass and pines on the Port Hills are ideal plants to fuel the wildfires sweeping through the area.

A photographer who surveyed the damage of the Port Hills fire from the air has shared the incredible images that show the devastation.

All Blacks legend speaks to NZME in his first interview since the wildfires.

Port Hills fire updates: Amazing images show the extent of the damage from the air, and just how close it came to some properties.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton have defended their handling of the Port Hills fire.

Tristram Clayton brings you the latest updates from the Port Hills fire.

The Canterbury DHB and the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation have issued warnings about smoke inhalation for those affected by the Port Hills fires.

James Frost lost his home in the 2011 earthquake and now he's watched his home burn down in the Port Hills blaze.

Kiwis are showing their support for those affected by the Port Hills fire and the firefighters working to put it out by making a statement

Skellerup Holdings' first-half profit fell 7.5 per cent due to weaker sales to the mining sector in Australia and higher finance costs for a new factory in Christchurch.

With a raging wild fire surrounding the Christchurch Adventure Park, the future is uncertain for the fledgling business.