Greater Christchurch has been hammered by hundreds of lightning strikes and gale-force winds, as an evening storm sweeps across the region.

The burglary is a "big burden", shaken owner says: "I don't know how many weeks it's going to take me to recover this cost."

Melissa Desley Rays, 58, was down to earth and bubbly, a long-time friend says: “She was just one of those people that everybody knew.”

The Ministry of Health will be without a director-general, and its top two public health directors.

The Government has placed an “effective ban” on Russian imports by hiking tariffs while also banning the export of technology and machinery.

Council staff have delivered portaloos and a rubbish skip to the group which has set up camp in the red zone.

One of the alleged victims of an overnight kidnapping has spoken of her terror after being threatened by a man armed with a hammer.

The chief executive of a project aiming to build an oat milk factory in Southland has stepped down because he declined the Covid-19 vaccine.

Not all heroes wear capes, some - like 65-year-old Hamish Pryde - drive bulldozers.

Council staff have thanked a father who was swimming with his own child and sprang into action when he noticed a toddler under the water.

Aspen the dog must be euthanised after NZ's highest court dismissed a last-ditch appeal for his life.

Students are worried that a fellow student accused of assault is returning to the New Zealand Broadcasting School.

A hunter who was lost in the Fiordland bush for four days with his son believes another night may have resulted in the pair getting hypothermia.

It is feared hypersonic weapons will be able to evade defensive systems more successfully than ballistic missiles.

Taranaki’s decrease was mostly driven by its largest industry, oil and gas production, which was affected by lower global prices for energy products and reduced operations.

From lockdowns to no coach, the Auckland Aces have managed to come up trumps in the Plunket Shield amongst a season of dud hands.

It's been hours since the director-general of health said he was resigning, and he's already got job offers.

It's been a bumpy couple of years for events, but with restrictions easing, organisers of this year's commemoration at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park were planning a full programme on Anzac Day.

Under the new arrangement Hastings District Council will get an extra councillor, bringing it to 15 councillors and a mayor.

Safety concerns surrounding the felling of Timaru’s ‘Champagne Tree’ last week have prompted Worksafe to contact the contractors involved.