International scientists have claimed the 7.8 Kaikoura quake has raised the potential threat of another large NZ event - but a Kiwi scientist says that's unlikely.

Each year, our country is shifting at about the same speed our fingernails grow. Here are four other strange things you probably don't know about New Zealand.

Around 3 per cent of New Zealand homes are being sold to people with foreign tax residency, according to just-released data.

An agent from Auckland's biggest residential real estate business says some buyers are trying to beat the Government's new property speculator restrictions.

Yet another Government IT project has gone off the rails with a new DoC land management system costing taxpayers millions in budget overruns.

The Herald's research into politicians' property holdings for this week's three-part series is the biggest data journalism project in New Zealand.

It has taken several years and cost at least $10,000 for the North and South Islands to officially be named what we've been calling them for decades.

Cultural commentators hope for a reasoned debate on a move to recognise alternative names for the North and South Islands - but one says it's likely to bring out rednecks.

The country's two main islands could soon also be officially known as Te Ika-a-Maui and Te Waipounamu.

NZers can now have their say on whether the South Ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook should be renamed as 'Hillary Ridge'. The Geographic Board today opened a three month-public consultation.

New Zealand's property title transfer system is secure and changes have improved it, a Government official says.