by Kiri Gillespie FUN DAY OUT: Groom-to-be Grant Edwards spent much of his stag party at the Tauranga Races in a ''pretty comfortable''

Bay of Islands the place to be for summer sun today

Firefighters in Kaiapoi, North of Christchurch, are attending a large blaze near the Waimakariri River this afternoon.

Police are "generally pleased" with behaviour at New Year's Eve celebrations across the country and say there were no significant issues or incidents reported.

The holiday road toll stands at 17, rising overnight with the deaths of two pedestrians in Northland.

One person is dead following a single car crash near Christchurch tonight.

The Fire Service is responding to multiple reports of a grass fire in Christchurch.

Christchurch businessman Roger Bridge has been made a Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to business and philanthropy.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery in relation to a shooting in Bryndwr, Christchurch yesterday.

Springs Junction - the tiny settlement connecting State Highways 7 and 65 - now boasts two food caravans as well as a service station and cafe both operating 24/7.

DoC says there is significant arsenic, mercury and cyanide contamination of the soil at the Alexander River mine site.

Thousands have reported feeling the "severe" 5.5 magnitude quake which rattled central New Zealand this afternoon.

Police say a man shot overnight in Christchurch was targeted by two intruders.

A weak cold front will bring cloud, drizzle and showers to the country over the next few days but should clear in time for New Year celebrations.

Police have concerns for the safety of missing Christchurch woman Rebecca Mangin. The 29-year-old hasn't been heard from since December

The funeral arrangements of two of the teenagers killed in a horror smash in the early hours of Boxing Day have been released.

Canterbury Police are seeking a missing man who was last seen on Boxing Day.

A high-risk child sex offender in custody after admitting cutting off his electronic monitoring tag and going on the run.

Police are looking for a white van involved in a hit and run which landed a man in hospital on Christmas Eve.

A Christchurch mother who shed 20kg in nine months simply by slashing sugar from her diet is today launching a recipe book to help others.

Don't let the morning cloud fool you - it is set to be a fine Boxing Day for New Zealanders, with Central Otago tipped as the best place to be.

A man has been injured in a serious assault in Christchurch.

What will start out as a cloudy morning for most of the country should clear as the Christmas day wears on, but the odd shower is in store too.

The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

Christchurch police are appealing to the public to help them find a missing 31-year-old man.

Bridget McMenamin worked on the Lisa Blakie murder inquiry. She has launched a Facebook page to investigate the 2000 case again.

Wet weather today will clear throughout the country making way for a mainly fine Christmas weekend.

A $400 Cinderella and Snow White tattoo which left the recipient "utterly disgusted and embarrassed" was only partially done, according to the tattoo store.

Father and daughter bears Sean and Sasa tucked into their usual meal at Wellington Zoo today, but with a Christmas twist. The sun

A man is dead and a woman in hospital after a car rolled into a paddock north of Christchurch this morning.