Southern Police are warning residents to keep their pets safe after the theft of an American Bulldog and reports of suspicious behaviour concerning dogs.

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.

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.

A vegetation fire is burning out of control on a sandspit at the bottom of the South Island.

Fatal crash blocks stretch of Southland highway this morning.

A woman in her 70s has been flown to hospital after being knocked over by sheep.

Gun-toting home intruders left a man lying on his lawn with a fractured neck in an attack that traumatised the victim and his partner and child, police say.

A 17-year-old's quick reply to police drew plenty of attention of Facebook.

Bad weather and the risk of rockfalls has forced the closure of State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura.

The MetService is forecasting rain for much of New Zealand today, perhaps ruining plans for post-party barbecues and sunbathing.

Two people are being flown to hospital after a Southland car crash.

When an Invercargill teen was told she couldn't have a horse, she took matters into her own hands.

Road toll now equal to last summer's following death of motorcyclist.

A weak cold front will bring cloud, drizzle and showers to the country over the next few days but should clear in time for New Year celebrations.

The man got separated from his three hunting companions yesterday evening.

Don't let the morning cloud fool you - it is set to be a fine Boxing Day for New Zealanders, with Central Otago tipped as the best place to be.

Three people have been arrested thanks to a group of brave Colac Bay residents who helped police foil a bid to burgle a holiday home.

MP fought off challenge to gain reselection and contest the Clutha-Southland seat.

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Overseas associates of missing man John Beckenridge, who abducted his 11-year-old stepson last year, are working with New Zealand police to track the pair down.

If variety is the spice of life, this week is set to be a lively one.

It's going to be a sunny one this weekend for most of the country.

Three boys were playing in the school grounds when they were approached by an unknown man.

The day after his Christmas party, driver was still three times over the drink-drive limit.

A former Canterbury primary school principal who groomed a young boy before sexually assaulting him over half a decade was today jailed for more than nine years.

New Zealand's new Prime Minister is a former farmer and literature student from smalltown Southland who once described himself as "specialising in being boring".

COMMENT: We've recently been supported by a Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund grant for a project called: What is the Southland accent?

15 year old Palmerston North girl, Sarah Ridsdale wins her first film award. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

One person has died and another has been airlifted to hospital with critical injuries.

At least two more schools have been investigated after complaints about seclusion rooms - including one that was eventually closed.