The South braces for a long night as rain and thunderstorms sweep across the country.

Kiwis are less willing to spend up large on adult services, operators say.

The pair, hurt in a rockslide, were forced to spend the night huddling at 1800m.

Roads are closed and campers on notice as heavy rain hits the South.

The Hawk House near Lake Wānaka is a private, luxurious haven.

'It will be quite an active day tomorrow.'

The two-vehicle crash happened about 2.40pm; motorists have been asked to avoid the area.

How is the first weekend of the new year looking in your area?

Three days of forecast heavy rain prompt police warning to holidaymakers.

The Bay of Plenty is the area at greatest risk of hail storms this afternoon.

A severe thunderstorm warning has now been issued for Gisborne and Wairoa.

Heading out of town for the break? Find out more about the traffic conditions here.

Woman molested by labourer in a bar says she has lost everything since that night.

Michael James MacLeod, 46, of Dunedin, died on Sunday.

'It's heartbreaking because we're trying to do something positive.'

"It was stuff we don't want to see in this country ... We need to stop it."

The quake registered at a depth of 11km with its epicentre near Linwood Ave.

An arrest has been made after graduation ceremonies were targeted.

A vegan deli in Christchurch has pumped out nearly 2000 'Furkeys' this year.

Ray White in Christchurch sold properties worth more than $16.5 million last week.

Police warn of deaths and hospital admissions from dodgy pills.

Scene of crash blessed today as investigators attempt to piece together tragedy.

No concerns of a firebug yet - fire working with police to probe connections.

Even when you think you can't go any further, you can.

'I don't know how I didn't lose my life,' burns victim says.

Nobody injured in the incident, which police believe was targeted.

The victim required surgery after the incident and was off work for nine weeks.

Police waited 18 minutes to approach fatally shot man's vehicle.