A group of TPP protesters and vocal opponents of outgoing PM John Key are holding a celebratory leaving party in Christchurch tonight.

South Island police are investigating the incident that occurred at the Paringa Salmon Farm Café, South Westland.

The size of Westport's proposed integrated family health centre (IFHC) has been cut by 300sq m compared to previous plans - which were already carved to the bone.

An out-of-town beekeeper who parked up in Westport to eat his lunch yesterday afternoon left a trail of angry bees behind him.

Two landowners and Heritage New Zealand are opposing a water export facility being proposed for remote South Westland.

The Ministry of Social Development is awaiting sentencing on breach of health and safety legislation after the 2014 Ashburton Work and Income office killings.

Thunderstorms are expected to hit some parts of the North Island today and tomorrow before temperatures soar to low-30s in some parts of New Zealand later this week.

Extra police were drafted into Queenstown after a crowd of hundreds celebrated "Crate Day" on Saturday with an impromptu party.

Summer will be well and truly here this week with temperatures expected to soar to 29C in some parts.

Clinton Highway in the Clutha District is closed as a result of the crash.

The driver of a McLaren F1 car worth an estimated $20 million could be charged after a crash at Closeburn near Queenstown, police say.

A man who put a 3-year-old into a scalding bath, causing the boy's skin to "flake off", has been jailed for nearly four years.

Some of New Zealand's favourite beaches will be graced with gorgeous weather for the first weekend of summer.

The Pike River Mine blockade grew to 40 protesters this morning, joined by New Zealand author Dame Fiona Kidman yesterday.

Numerous offers have been received for a slice of Kiwi paradise that attracted local buyers as well as interest from Switzerland, North America and the UK.

Submissions from all over New Zealand have poured in opposing Westpower's Waitaha River power scheme, forcing a four-day hearing in Hokitika next week.

One tramper died near Arthur's Pass and another was airlifted out to Franz Josef Glacier this morning after spending a night seriously injured in a separate backcountry accident.

Responsible visitors such as those travelling in certified self-contained motorhomes should "not have the door slammed in their face", says the NZ Motorcaravan Association.

The second man to walk on the moon has been evacuated from Antarctica to New Zealand suffering respiratory problems.

In a meeting with residents last night, Civil Defence staff confirmed two thirds of the village can't return to their homes just yet.

Animal control officers were alerted to a "large, rogue goat" that was reported disrupting traffic in Oamaru.

The West Coast DHB says it's not responsible for ensuring its own birthing facility in Westport has enough midwives.

Pike River Mine protesters ramped up their action this morning, fired up after a frustrating meeting with Solid Energy management in Greymouth yesterday.

A Greymouth man who told a German tourist that he would supply him with cannabis was convicted in the Greymouth District Court yesterday of obtaining money by deception - and ordered to pay the money back.

A dry summer is on its way, but it starts with showers for many of us today.

A man who ran over a family of ducks in Queenstown contacted police after the incident received national media coverage yesterday.

Pike River families say a meeting with Solid Energy's new boss over re-entering the mine was "insulting".

A dream to run a surf school from a new seaside home is out of reach after the earthquake left a Kaikoura family out of pocket.

One person died in a mid-morning crash between two trucks on the busy State Highway 65 near Springs Junction.

"Gobsmacking" drone footage has captured an up-close view of a massive canyon created near Mt Lyford by this month's 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake.