The fire was estimated to have burnt through 200ha of regenerating bush last night.

An appeal against the mother's home detention sentence has been dropped.

The fire has now spread across an area spanning 2km by 800m.

One person with moderate injuries has been taken to hospital.

The weekend is shaping up to be sizzling hot, with temperatures hitting 30C or higher.

Plans for the new house are opposed by neighbours.

A tragic toll: The 17 people killed on NZ roads over the holiday period remembered.

Fire crews were called to the house in Maheno-Kakanui Rd, south of Oamaru at 10am.

One clinic had jabbed 100 people by lunchtime yesterday.

New Zealand's official holiday road toll period ended yesterday with 17 deaths.

Lunch at Oamaru fast food outlet ends in heartbreak as family car is swiped.

Young boy retrieved from Lake Wakatipu fully limp, blue in the lips and not breathing.

Experts described the actions of the bodyboarder as showing a lack of education.

Jessica Stall hadn't been seen since around midday on December 31.

Auckland's light show kicks off from 9pm and Wellington is also hosting a light spectacle.

All you need to know for your New Year celebrations.

Festival organisers are no longer at risk of prosecution under section 12 for drug use.

Drunk man who claimed he had a gun sparked a police callout to Dunedin pub yesterday.

There are 28 potential breeding sea lions.

Stolen stone lions, gangsters, 'speeding' Harley Davidsons, and a whole lot more.

Brent Cleghorn was turning his life around and was due to start new job on January 5.

Kaumātua warns that the thieves have broken a sacred tapu.

Seventeen people have died in the past 10 days.

Police said the motorcyclist died at the scene.

The crash was reported to police just after 9.20am today.

Dunedin killer told to work with a psychologist if he wants to be released.

A father-of-four died in the horror smash.

The resignation just before Christmas has been called 'disappointing' by council.