Patched members and associates of the Head Hunters gang arrested in a series of armed raids across Christchurch this morning have appeared in court.

The Head Hunters members were charged with offences ranging from participation in an organised crime group to supplying the class-A controlled drug methamphetamine.

Convicted killer Scott Watson is appearing before the Parole Board in Christchurch today. Watson was convicted in 1999 for killing

Scales Corp raised its forecast with the apple company citing improvement across all its divisions and a standout performance from its horticulture unit.

People across New Zealand have been basking in today's sunshine as the first weekend of summer did not disappoint.

Motorists travelling the alternative route between Christchurch and Picton have been caught up in heavy congestion today, as traffic pressure mounts on the post-quake thoroughfare.

The former astronaut, who became ill while visiting Antarctica, has been told to rest up in Christchurch while congestion in his lungs clears.

Buzz Aldrin made it to the South Pole before he was evacuated from Antarctica to a New Zealand hospital with fluid on his lungs.

Stephanie Holmes checks into Christchurch's newest sleeping experience - Jucy Snooze

The second man to walk on the moon has been evacuated from Antarctica to New Zealand suffering respiratory problems.

A Christchurch builder who shone a laser pointer at an international passenger jet carrying 121 passengers, dazzling flight crew, has today been jailed for 10 weeks.

Lotto will be donating all profits from next Saturday's draw to the quake relief.

Watch: Kiwi truck driver Louise Marriott is following in the footsteps of Jean Claude Van Damme.

An HIV-positive Christchurch nursing assistant is accused of having unprotected sex with Grindr dates.

Columbus, who died today aged 74, was the first Kiwi entertainer to have a No 1 single overseas and had a long career in show business.

A truck and car were involved in a serious accident north of Christchurch this morning.

Tower posted a wider annual loss as the general insurer set aside $25.3 million for provisions.

The signs of summer are among us with pohutakawa trees flowering already and forecasters say the official first day of the season on Thursday will be calm and dry.

COMMENT: Earthquakes make New Zealand great. We would not have a country without them.

The state house where John Key famously grew up is being sold by the Government.

Wanted man using social media to avoid police, says detective.

The Human Rights Commission has received 16 complaints about Brian Tamaki's rant blaming gay people for earthquakes.

People affected by the current earthquake sequence are being urged to take extra care of themselves.

Calls to mental health helplines have spiked since the Kaikoura Earthquake.

A person has died after an incident in Lyttelton Harbour, though police cannot say yet what happened.

A strong aftershock sends fearful people out of their homes for the night.

Hundreds of people turned out to farewell Jo-Anne Mackinnon, who died in last week's 7.8-magnitude earthquake. Mackinnon's funeral

A new report into alcohol and drug use among police detainees shows a reduction in cannabis and alcohol consumption, while the demand for methamphetamine is on the rise.

Restaurant owners affected by the 2011 earthquake travelled to Kaikoura yesterday to share their experiences and offer advice.

Work to demolish a quake-damaged Wellington office tower is expected to take about two weeks, weather permitting.