A decision not to move the interisland ferry terminal from Picton to Clifford Bay has resulted in KiwiRail land being sold to a wine grower.

Soaring to 1000m above sea level, out of control, vomiting, and heading for the Pacific Ocean, Howard Hudson thought he was going to die.

Firefighters have contained a large bush fire that came dangerously close to destroying the main power feed between the North and South Islands.

Two firefighters were injured, two houses destroyed and residents evacuated by helicopter as a bushfire was fanned by strong winds and raged out of control yesterday.

The owners of a Picton house hit by a landslip yesterday have been told the property is temporarily unfit to live in.

Residents of a Picton house escaped injury today when a landslip hit their home and broke through a wall, as torrential rain lashed central New Zealand today.

A decision to keep the South Island ferry terminal base in Picton has been met with celebration in the Marlborough town.

Picton will remain as the southern terminal for the interisland ferries, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today.

A police officer is in hospital with serious facial injuries after a man he arrested attacked him in Picton this morning.

Two people facing murder charges after the death of a woman in Picton will reappear later this month.

Two people arrested and charged with the murder of a 43-year-old Picton woman yesterday will appear in court today.