The girlfriend of a 19-year-old man who drowned in an Otago lake on Saturday has criticised the lack of signage on the shore.

Police have confirmed a 19-year-old man has died while swimming in Kawarau River on Saturday.

Repairs to South Island stopbanks damaged in the Kaikōura earthquake is expected to cost nearly $700,000.

A decision on whether the Department of Conservation will allow the Waitaha River power scheme will be made by mid-2017.

Water supply levels in both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are being monitored as the tourist season ramps up again.

COMMENT: The launch of the Hauraki Gulf's first marine spatial plan is a major achievement and not to be under-estimated, writes Gary Taylor.

Proposed new marine protected areas, rules for polluters and changes to commercial fishing methods have been revealed in a long-awaited master plan for the Hauraki Gulf.

Two landowners and Heritage New Zealand are opposing a water export facility being proposed for remote South Westland.

The Herald New Zealander of the Year has been celebrating those who make an outstanding contribution to this country and beyond for 25 years.

Havelock North artist David Trubridge is appalled at council for urging residents to conserve water while permitting commercial bottling and export of local water supplies. Made with finding from NZ On Air.

Havelock North artist David Trubridge is appalled at council for urging residents to conserve water while permitting commercial bottling and export of local water supplies. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Two Kiwis are aboard a fishing trawler missing off the coast of Queensland.

Police have led an extensive air, land and sea search for missing trawler reportedly carrying a Kiwi father-of-six.

The girlfriend of a keen young rugby player pulled from a river has paid tribute to her "soulmate" in an emotional video on Facebook. Police

There's a chill in the air in Kaipara, strong winds whipping the flag lowered to half mast into a frenzy on the front lawn.

The Western Bay District Council has brought in a security firm to patrol camping hotspots such as Waihi Beach and Bowentown's Anzac

Residents tell of fear after eight water eruptions of up to 30m on the lake this morning - the first geothermal activity in the area for about 15 years.

Bill McNatty, 68, was familiar with the water, worked hard to pay off his boat and spent a good chunk of the past three years taking people out fishing.

A stream of bubbles is rising out of the sea around the Kaikoura peninsula as newly formed cracks in the seabed release gases into the water.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham has slammed council management for keeping councillors in the dark on the Havelock

The inquiry into the contamination of Havelock North's drinking water will be postponed until late January 2017, because of a legal

A man named Jesus Christ broke into 13 of his neighbours' Auckland homes and took food and things he could sell to pawn shops.

Stopping the flow of pollutants into urban Whangarei's 6000 stormwater traps and planting trees along the waterways could all help

TRAGEDY: Sixty-eight-year-old Bruce Smith died during the Sand to Surf event on Saturday. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER 191116aw21bop By staff

A Civil Defence helicopter made a nappy run to a remote part of Marlborough to bring supplies to a family with a young baby who have been cut off.

Services slowly return to normal across Marlborough but many still advised to boil water.

A further public health message has been issued for quake affected communities.

New aerial photos show there is much work to be done after Monday's 7.8 quake.

Vital supplies are being flown in as Kaikoura has less than 24 hours of drinking water left.

A number of schools have been closed due to flooding, affecting some students due to sit exams after afternoon.