An Otago man who was blamed for a 72ha fire near Kurow this summer has yet to learn whether he will be forced to pay the more than $60,000 bill he received.

A man was left unconscious and with serious injuries after a group of people attacked him in Nelson, early on Sunday morning.

A house on the Otago Peninsula was "extensively damaged" by a fire overnight.

The rebuild of Canterbury's schools has been allocated more than $276 million over four years as part of Budget 2016.

MetService has issued snow warnings for South Island's Lewis Pass, Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass and Lindis Pass this evening which could continue to tomorrow morning.

The area has just endured its wettest May ever, smashing a 139-year-old record.

The helicopter company involved in a horror chopper crash at Fox Glacier that killed seven people has been grounded over safety concerns.

Road Safety Week focused on heavy vehicle safety down South with 1000 heavy vehicles stopped and 104 infringement notices issued between May 16 and 22.

In his latest venture, the down-to-earth Kiwi is taking a 10 per cent stake in Canterbury's SOL Quarries.

A person has died after being struck by a train this evening, police said.

No one was in a South Island house engulfed by fire late last night.

A lucky Lotto player is a million dollars richer tonight. A ticket bought at Cromwell New World scooped Lotto's First Division prize in tonight's live Lotto draw.

Air New Zealand has partnered with Christchurch-based company Invert Robotics to trial robotic inspections of its planes.

Relative of murdered sex worker Renee Duckmanton says death has "broken my family", as other family members yell abuse at man charged with killing her.

The body of Marcus Tucker was found dumped near Lake Ellesmere on Drain Rd, Doyleston on Anzac Day.

A man who crashed into a power pole last night is still in critical condition in Christchurch Hospital.

A man who helped rescue stranded 4WD enthusiasts trapped in Central Otago after a snowstorm has criticised the police operation to rescue the group.

Quarry firm also ordered to pay $100,000 in reparation to employee's family after he was killed while operating heavy machinery.

MetService is warning of more rain, squalls, strong winds, "a nasty band of thunderstorms" and even coastal tornadoes today.

A man who assaulted two cyclists in separate incidents in Dunedin has been jailed.

After 18 months of legal wrangling, the trial has begun of two men and a woman in relation to an alleged kidnapping in Queenstown in 2014.

A disabled Dunedin man is promising justice to the burglar who stole his communication "lifelines'' from his Northeast Valley home.

A "playground" for four-wheel drive enthusiasts is how one roading manager described the Waikaia Bush road where a 4WD party was rescued yesterday.

A mammoth rescue mission has saved all 38 people who were "buried in snow" and stranded for nearly 20 hours in freezing conditions in Central Otago.

Motorists in the lower South Island are being advised to take extra care on the roads in light of heavy snow and wintry conditions.

Severe weather warnings for country - including snow in Otago region and large swells on the west coast of the South Island - mean mild autumnal days a thing of the past.

One of the 38 rescued after spending nearly 20 hours trapped in a Central Otago snow storm says the group were relieved to see their rescuers this afternoon.

On social media, residents are reporting disruptions to travel and public transport around the city. Source: Dave Ure / ODT