Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.

The first wave has reached the Chatham Islands, after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile overnight. An official tsunami alert remains in place for New Zealand's entire east coast.

A florist said she changed her competitors' Google map details so customers could only contact her.

A witness has described how a man reached for his gun case just seconds before tussling with a Mongrel Mob prospect, who is now charged with his murder.

Rain eased in Gisborne overnight and surrounding roads reopened after flooding and slips caused evacuations.

Graduates of local television dramas, soap operas and sitcoms combine their talents.

Summer has ground to a spectacular halt in a number of regions over the past week - is it going to get even worse?

James Napier Robertson talks to Jacqueline Smith about making a movie on the smell of an oily rag.