Residents in parts of the country have been warned to brace for widespread flooding, slips and fast-rising rivers as the mid-week weather system hits.

A fire which burned through 100ha of hillside near Arthur's Pass last week and four more fires on Saturday are suspected to be the work of an arsonist.

Clues left by an anonymous benefactor had hundreds of people searching for cash hidden in a secret Dunedin location.

Shelly Crooks, 36, hasn't been seen since December 22 after telling a friend she was going to hitchhike from Punakaiki to Opotiki.

A woman who accused her ex-girlfriend of attacking her might end up in the dock herself after admitting she lied to police.

A Christchurch entrepreneur has denied reports of his confidential documents being dumped on a street.

A minute's silence will be observed in Greymouth on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Strongman Mine disaster which claimed 19 lives.

Residents in parts of the country have been warned to brace for widespread flooding, slips and fast-rising rivers as a power-packed, mid-week weather system hits.

COMMENT: If you want to see really crappy summer weather you should try camping near Dunedin.

Crews battling a suspicious vegetation fire near Blenheim are facing challenging conditions.

Multiple severe weather warnings and watches were issued yesterday as a cold front looks set to put a dampener on summer.

Two off-duty life-savers jumped in Otago Harbour after coming across sunken ute

What kind of gift to give New Zealand's golden couple could be tricky.

It seems someone important is getting married at the Olive Grove venue in Wanaka this weekend.

Next week's 50th anniversary of the Strongman Mine disaster may be the last opportunity for many to remember the 1967 tragedy.

A man has been arrested for allegedly hiding a knife behind his belt buckle while going through customs at Queenstown Airport.

Drop, Cover, Hold: Even pre-schoolers are taught that is the right thing to do in an earthquake.

If people bother the rare penguin moulting in Dunedin it will be moved to a secret location, the Department of Conservation says.

A "spectacular" multi-million dollar homestead on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and the foothills of the Remarkables has been donated to the University of Otago.

Judge learns what emoji are when the subject comes up in court after a man sent a threatening message via social media.

Free tourist access to attractions like Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and the Cape Foulwind seal colony is too costly for ratepayers, says Buller Mayor Garry Howard.

Buller's Old Ghost Road trail is proving so popular one of its huts is already almost booked out for the rest of the summer.

The fire that cut off a small community near Queenstown is now under police investigation.

A campfire has sparked a major bushfire that continues to burn out-of-control near Queenstown.

Deep South could be the place to get a property bargain as prices in traditional hotspots plateau at a level beyond the reach of many first home buyers.

The Franz Josef Glacier heliport is among the busiest in the country with up to one helicopter movement every minute at the peak of season.

A young Swiss climber had to be rescued yesterday after suffering a nasty fall in the three passes area near Arthur's Pass.

Actor and film director Ian Mune slammed the Government today as he joined protesters at the Pike River Mine entrance.

Strolls around St Bathans won't be the same after the loss of its canine tour guide.

Another twist in the marriage saga of the country's most famous glamour couple as the pair fly out of Queenstown.