A man in his 60s was airlifted to hospital after a roading repair truck rolled down a steep embankment in the Turakina Valley.

The Fire Service have been left perplexed after receiving several 111 calls reportedly from a 15-year-old boy saying he was scared of monsters.

An 18 year old had to be cut from a vehicle after he crashed into the back of a parked truck in Dunedin last night, police say.

A St John spokesman said an ambulance attended a workplace accident near Oamaru today but did not take anybody to hospital as the man died at the scene.

A person has suffered burns after a gas container exploded beneath a house in South Auckland.

An elderly Dunedin man who died after being hit by a car last night has been named by police. He was 86-year-old Albert Arthur Wolf, known as Bert, of Fairfield.

Three fire trucks were called to the scene of the house fire in Christchurch at 4.58pm after receiving multiple calls, southern fire communications shift manager Riwai Grace said.

Police are investigating the death of an 86-year-old Dunedin man who was hit by a car in Fairfield, Dunedin last night.

Emergency services were called to the University of Canterbury's science centre about 1.30pm, following reports of a sulfuric acid vapour spill.

Emergency services have been called to the scene of the crash on State Highway 27 near Matamata.

The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter was called to the small rural town of Takapau at 3pm, after it was found the boy had an airway obstruction.

Twelve new state-of-the-art ambulances will soon hit New Zealand roads, thanks to the generosity of Kiwis.

The woman was driving on Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway when her vehicle and another collided head on.

The Herald understands the injured man is affiliated with Black Power. However, the altercation that led to his injuries were not thought to be gang-related.

Emergency services are at the scene of an explosion in South Auckland this afternoon.

The fire service were called to the blaze on Great North Rd near Henry St at 8.15pm.

A lengthy emergency call to report the death of Cissy Chen has sparked calls for more interpreters at 111 communications centres.

Former supermarket manager finds a more fulfilling life working to help people.

Three people have been injured in a serious two-car collision which has closed part of a main road north of Auckland.

St John volunteer Deborah Allfrey dedicates so much of her time to the organisation that she has only three weekends to herself through to March next year.

A woman who fell and broke her arm on Mt Ruapehu today was rescued 8000 feet up by helicopter.

State Highway 16 was shut to traffic in both directions between Bradly Rd and Wharepapa Rd, Helensville, after the crash about 7.30am.

The owner of a popular cafe destroyed by fire last night is coping with the shock of losing her business, as customers mourn their "hub".

Underwater in an upside down helicopter and blindfolded is not an unusual situation for Dave Greenberg.

Despite being nominated for a Pride of NZ Lifetime Achievement Award by more than one person, he doesn't think he deserves it.

Ian Ridley often walks into somebody's life right at the worst point.

When Margaret Houston suffered the loss of her 5-year-old daughter, she decided to learn first aid.

Drivers are being urged to be careful after two recent crashes involving cars skidding on black ice.

There is good reason to welcome the stationing of nurses at emergency call centres to answer non-urgent calls.