A Christchurch man has gone missing for a week, sparking fears for his safety.

A young Christchurch builder allegedly sacked via text didn't tell his family and for a week pretended to go to work every morning.

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

A Christchurch man who committed a series of sexual offences, including rapes, at ''raves'' in several parts of the South Island has had his sentence reduced.

A Greymouth man wanted by police for breach of bail lost control of his vehicle at Taylorville late last night while trying to evade police.

A new report has found it would cost more than $250million to repair Christchurch's earthquake-battered Lancaster Park.

Parts of the North Island are expected to hit 30 degrees today, with Hawke's Bay getting the biggest dose of the sun's rays.

Police suspect arson after six car fires in Christchurch overnight.

A group of TPP protesters and vocal opponents of outgoing PM John Key are holding a celebratory leaving party in Christchurch tonight.

Patched members and associates of the Head Hunters gang arrested in a series of armed raids across Christchurch this morning have appeared in court.

The Head Hunters members were charged with offences ranging from participation in an organised crime group to supplying the class-A controlled drug methamphetamine.

Convicted killer Scott Watson is appearing before the Parole Board in Christchurch today. Watson was convicted in 1999 for killing

Scales Corp raised its forecast with the apple company citing improvement across all its divisions and a standout performance from its horticulture unit.

People across New Zealand have been basking in today's sunshine as the first weekend of summer did not disappoint.

Motorists travelling the alternative route between Christchurch and Picton have been caught up in heavy congestion today, as traffic pressure mounts on the post-quake thoroughfare.

The former astronaut, who became ill while visiting Antarctica, has been told to rest up in Christchurch while congestion in his lungs clears.

Buzz Aldrin made it to the South Pole before he was evacuated from Antarctica to a New Zealand hospital with fluid on his lungs.

Stephanie Holmes checks into Christchurch's newest sleeping experience - Jucy Snooze

The second man to walk on the moon has been evacuated from Antarctica to New Zealand suffering respiratory problems.

A Christchurch builder who shone a laser pointer at an international passenger jet carrying 121 passengers, dazzling flight crew, has today been jailed for 10 weeks.

Lotto will be donating all profits from next Saturday's draw to the quake relief.

Watch: Kiwi truck driver Louise Marriott is following in the footsteps of Jean Claude Van Damme.

An HIV-positive Christchurch nursing assistant is accused of having unprotected sex with Grindr dates.

Columbus, who died today aged 74, was the first Kiwi entertainer to have a No 1 single overseas and had a long career in show business.

A truck and car were involved in a serious accident north of Christchurch this morning.

Tower posted a wider annual loss as the general insurer set aside $25.3 million for provisions.

The signs of summer are among us with pohutakawa trees flowering already and forecasters say the official first day of the season on Thursday will be calm and dry.

The Government will urgently pass quake recovery laws which allow landslips in the South Island to be cleared into the ocean without consent.

All Black Aaron Smith has been pictured in public with his partner Teagan Voykovich for the first time after his toilet incident earlier this year.

COMMENT: Earthquakes make New Zealand great. We would not have a country without them.