The jewels in Brazil's crown range from opulent beaches to colourful slums, writes Geoff Cumming.

Rio de Janeiro balances the dreamy opulence of sunny beaches with the reality of life in the favelas.

Justin Newcombe pays tribute to an icon of the New Zealand garden, one that is just coming into season.

Jill Worrall embarks on a cruise through Patagonia from Chile's southernmost city.

Japan's biggest quake since records began triggered a shocking 10m tsunami. See how the quake ranks in history.

A 10-metre-high tsunami ploughed into the Japanese coast on Friday, dashing ships into the shore, washing away houses and leaving devastation in its wake.

The 33 miners rescued from inside a Chilean mine last year had considered suicide and cannibalism, it has emerged.

With just 48 hours to spend in Argentina's capital city, Geoff Cumming goes in search of some live Latin beats.

The Andes' artisans call on skills thousands of years in the making, writes Jim Eagles.

Tasting wine that you can't afford is one of the pleasures of the job. It doesn't happen often but it's usually a joyous and memorable occasion when it does.

A South American drug syndicate appears to be targeting New Zealand, with the amount of seized cocaine this year increasing more than 10-fold on two years ago, says Customs.

Police and soldiers charged into Rio's most dangerous slum at daybreak to arrest a leading drug lord.