NZ doctor appeals to Indonesian authorities to return his impounded helicopter so he can help earthquake victims in Padang.

Residents of a Rockhampton suburb were last night being urged to evacuate their homes as a "terrifying" bushfire threatens properties in the central Queensland city.

New Zealand aid agencies look to support longer-term recovery efforts in villages.

Seven-year-old Liam Porter, of Papamoa, says when he doesn't save he usually spends his $2 of weekly pocket money on lollies.

A combined memorial for the victims of the Pacific tsunami is planned for West Auckland tonight.

The father of two young women swept to their deaths by the Samoan tsunami told their funeral yesterday they would have "fought hard".

Heavyweight boxer David Tua stands solemnly at the beach he knows well, looking defeated at the devastation the tsunami left behind.

Scenes of panic are reported in Vanuatu after several earthquakes sparked a tsunami warning.

Civil Defence says a tsunami threat remains in place for NZ despite the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre cancelling its warning.

The Ministry of Health will today send an air ambulance from Auckland on a mercy flight to pick up a baby born prematurely in Samoa.

The NZ volunteer firefighter killed while alerting people in Samoa to last week's tsunami has been remembered in Apia.