Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.

The first wave has reached the Chatham Islands, after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile overnight. An official tsunami alert remains in place for New Zealand's entire east coast.

A man who fed live kittens to his pitbull claims he is 'an animal lover'.

Rest-home nurses who rushed to an 82-year-old patient's scream found her on the floor with another patient's walking frame on top of her.

Rain eased in Gisborne overnight and surrounding roads reopened after flooding and slips caused evacuations.

The residents of Mangatuna village, north of Tolaga Bay, were moved out this morning as the Uawa River rose from its usual four metres to 11 metres.

The Fire Service is increasingly being sent to emergencies when an ambulance has been requested, statistics show.