Staff were told to prep a plate of cheese rolls, but the guest of honour never showed.

New model simulates chaos a major Alpine Fault quake would cause for South Island roads.

The men went into action when another patron joked that "there's someone dead in there".

For three days they fretted - and the animals miraculously survived.

A six-minute phone call to police has wound up in evidence against her.

Fires continue to rage in Mackenzie Basin after consuming 5500 hectares.

A decision made only minutes before accident saved a six-year-old boy from being crushed.

Hebe the border collie needed to go out around 3am. Her owners will be forever grateful.

Livingstone farmer Dan Johnstone describes the firefighters' work as 'magic'.

A Queenstown helicopter company has been sold back to its former owner.

Emergency services are at a fertiliser plant after an accident involving sulphur.

Funding was officially locked in yesterday for Christchurch's new multi-use arena.

46 homes were destroyed, with thousands of hectares surrounding the village scorched.

Stunned locals describe 'cars that look like a Molotov cocktail exploded inside them'.

Up to 50 houses have been destroyed by fire at Lake Ōhau village.

The vegetation on conservation land is a 'huge risk' to neighbours, mayor says.

'I'm trying to find a pair of undies; I have my phone and clothes on my back.'

Retired farmland and rampant wilding pines make a "huge" stockpile of fire-ready fuel.

Samuel Anderson had been in the relationship for only a few months when violence started.

The family of Sophia Crestani are still heartbroken a year after her tragic death.

Inspectors visited the isolated Christian community this week.

It's been a wild, wintry week but sunny skies and hot temperatures are coming our way.

Dog is suspected to be one that escaped its owner several months ago.

South Island's legendary big cat allegedly spotted at a Christchurch quarry.

Search for missing woman Melissa Ewings scaled back after phone found.

Cause of huge leak 'won't be known until they ... dig it up and repair it', council says.

Icy winds will round out the month, with some in the South Island in for a freezing night.

Phone tracked to within 100m of Melissa Ewings' house - but no sign of her.

A second stormy day is in store for much of the country.