As 2016 draws to a close, the NZ Science Media Centre picked some of the biggest national and international science stories that made headlines

Just "three or four" slips remain across State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura at this stage and teams are working hard to clear them.

A string of light earthquakes have hit several parts of the country since Seddon was rattled by a 4.7 magnitude quake last night.

GNS Science says the probability of a big quake has increased following the Kaikoura earthquake.

More than a dozen aftershocks have rattled the country since midnight last night.

The Govtt will re-double its promotion of the "Alpine Pacific Triangle" to get tourists back to quake-hit Kaikoura, Hanmer and Christchurch.

Kaikoura has another $2.7 million to help it rebuild after being hit hard by the devastating earthquake last month.

New 3D fly-through footage of the Kaikoura coastline is being used to assess key areas of damage.

A major expedition to the submarine Kaikoura Canyon is assessing whether the November 14 quake elevated tsunami risks to coastal settlements.

The subsidy will continue for another eight weeks and extends to businesses in Hanmer Springs and wider Hurunui District.

A virtual shopping service to help Kaikoura's quake-hit retailers is flourishing.

After an exam season marred by mistakes, the date NCEA students will be able to check their results online has been released.

A badly quake-damaged stretch of State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura could be reopened by mid-December, says Simon Bridges.

Canterbury's Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to drive with caution while the Lewis Pass alternate highway (State Highway 7)

A new satellite-based tool published by Landcare Research has provided one of the clearest views yet of what changes last month's 7.8 Kaikoura Earthquake wrought on the landscape.

Nearly a dozen dams formed by landslides in the devastating Kaikoura quake are being closely monitored for fear of collapsing.

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 "drag queen disco" protest outside Destiny Church today was a great success, says the organiser.

From Monday milk tankers and other essential freight will be given access in and out of Kaikoura.

More New Zealand transport companies have started billing a surcharge as a result of last month's earthquake.

Kaikoura's fur seals famously splashed and frolicked in a pool at the foot of a waterfall. And then the earthquake came.

In a meeting with residents last night, Civil Defence staff confirmed two thirds of the village can't return to their homes just yet.

A second baby blue penguin has been welcomed to Picton's EcoWorld.

Govt says a public message about unusual seismic activity under the North Island was not a cause for alarm.

Tourism will weather last month's magnitude 7.8 quake, but Treasury is warning the total cost of the disaster could reach up to $3 billion.

The moderate quake, which was 24km deep, jolted Kaikoura just before 6.15pm.

A dream to run a surf school from a new seaside home is out of reach after the earthquake left a Kaikoura family out of pocket.

The Kaikoura Earthquake will cost the Government up to $3 billion, the Treasury estimates.

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

Primary school children in earthquake-hit Kaikoura returned to school and a sense of normality today.