The police-led rescue and recovery operation launched in the wake of the Pike River tragedy has cost nearly $11 million, according to figures in a detailed breakdown released this afternoon.

New Zealanders who risked their lives to save others have been recognised at the New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards.

Former Olympic yachtsman Geoff Smale's body has been recovered from Mount Duppa.

The wreckage of former Olympian Geoff Smale's microlight was found on Mount Duppa in the Bryant Range.

Rescuers have appealed for help in their search for a former Olympic sailor missing since taking off in his microlight.

The wife of a former Olympic sailor and prominent businessman was last night waiting in hope for news.

Police have found an American tourist who was missing in the Urewera National Park for two nights.

A body has been pulled from the water after a light plane crashed into the ocean near Orewa Beach, north of Auckland. Pieces of the wreckage are washing up on the beach.

Kiwi rescue team members return to NZ today after a week searching for bodies in rubble and icy blizzards in Japan.

Freezing temperatures accompany hunt for survivors in devastated coastal town

Two New Zealand rescue workers in Japan have had to be decontaminated after they were found to have been exposed to radiation after landing at the Fukushima airport.

New Zealand's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team in Japan are settled in the northern part of the country and about to start work helping to find survivors of Friday's magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Most of the firefighters who have worked day and night since the quake have no homes to return to.

Thousands are expected to return to Christchurch as schools reopen.

Police have this evening named six more people who died in last month's Canterbury earthquake, taking the total names released to 103.

Police have this afternoon named 14 more people who died in last month's Canterbury earthquake, bringing the total number of victims police have named to 97. The official death toll remains at 166.

Daniel Vettori will continue to play at the Cricket World Cup after scans revealed he has suffered a ligament strain to the inside of his right knee.

Police tonight named 12 more people who died in last month's Christchurch earthquake. Meanwhile, The people of Christchurch remain nervous about the future of rugby World Cup games in their earthquake-ravaged city.