A teenage girl who fought off a shark was lucky the animal only gave her an "exploratory bite", an expert says.

A 14-year-old boogie-boarder attacked by a shark says she stood on something slippery before seeing a "massive grey thing twisting in the water".

Summer has ground to a spectacular halt in a number of regions over the past week - is it going to get even worse?

Tuatapere has created a unique walking track with a difference, says Andrew Stone.

A short-sharp barrage of rain and hail pummelled Invercargill today leaving the city looking like a scene from mid-winter.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has been enjoying an active holiday.

Damaging gales have hit the bottom of the South Island this afternoon and are moving north.

Well the weather outside is certainly not looking frightful this Christmas with NZ's Christmas Day forecast looking more and more positive for most people.