Even in a nation accustomed to tremors, yesterday's massive earthquake in Japan, and the tsunami it triggered, were terrifyingly different.

Japan's biggest quake since records began triggered a shocking 10m tsunami. See how the quake ranks in history.

A 10-metre-high tsunami ploughed into the Japanese coast on Friday, dashing ships into the shore, washing away houses and leaving devastation in its wake.

Police today released the names of six more people who died in Christchurch's February 22, magnitude 6.3 earthquake, while Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced 110 schools in the region will have reopened by next week.

Sometimes it's refreshing to be left to your own devices - but not necessarily when you're sitting on an elephant, writes Christine Cornege.

A fifth tourist has died in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in circumstances eerily similar to New Zealander Sarah Carter's mysterious death - which health officials initially blamed on food poisoning.

The father of New Zealand tourist Sarah Carter wants the Thai hotel she stayed in closed and a more thorough investigation carried out into her death.

Trekking through the Altai Mountains on horseback is a unique experience, finds Ian D. Robinson.

Four people have died in mysterious circumstances at the Thai hotel where a New Zealand woman fell fatally ill last month.

Art with a conscience is Tiffany Singh's passion. We find out what else the artist is into.

There are a few reinventions afoot this week in the world of information TV, with the Documentary Channel becoming BBC Knowledge and TVNZ's digital and freeview channel's 6 and 7 merging into one.

"I have lost a leg. They had to cut it off to save me." Those were the first words rescued student Kento Okuda said to his mother.

Auckland's dining scene is about to become a whole lot more exciting with the addition of three new eateries, created and led by hospitality expert Brendan Turner.

Actress Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu draws wardrobe inspiration from the past.

Auckland's fine weekend weather brought record crowds to the city's lantern festivals, organisers say.