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.

People across New Zealand have been basking in today's sunshine as the first weekend of summer did not disappoint.

The former astronaut, who became ill while visiting Antarctica, has been told to rest up in Christchurch while congestion in his lungs clears.

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.

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 body of a climber has been found after a locator beacon was activated yesterday.

It's not going to be the sunniest weekend, but at least it won't rain too much.

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 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.

A 40-year-old man had been charged with arson after three fires in Dunedin overnight.

Judge allows media to take photo of All Blacks test streaker in court: "He was happy to be filmed and watched by millions around the world..."

INTERACTIVE: Dams created by landslides in this month's 7.8 quake have been pin-pointed on a detailed new map created by GNS Science and Environment Canterbury.

The falcon comes straight at me. I can see its big eyes fixed on me as it approaches on a dead level and silent flight path, like a feathered attack drone.

An HIV-positive Christchurch nursing assistant is accused of having unprotected sex with Grindr dates.

A Dunedin teacher has had her registration cancelled after she had a sexual relationship with a Year 13 student.

GeoNet technicians reach new heights of Kiwi ingenuity as they work in the quake zone. .