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.

Two allegedly drunk men were arrested after brandishing an air rifle and imitation pistol.

The deaths bring the Christmas/New Year holiday road toll to six.

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

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.

The crash occurred near Hillgrove.

Dry conditions and forecast strong winds have fire authorities on high alert.

An arrest has been made after graduation ceremonies were targeted.

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.

Message on footpath outside Masjid An-Nur is being taken 'very seriously', police say.