A lightning strike caused a large fire which razed an historic homestead to the ground near Glenorchy this morning.

Sometimes there's nothing like a chilly holiday to leave you feeling invigorated.

Leah McLennan looks at what's big and what's new on the Otago skifields.

Severe rain and wind warnings and a drop in temperatures have been issued for parts of the South Island and lower North Island this weekend.

Nothing re-awakens the Scot inside you like the aroma of a smoky whisky, finds Peter Feeney.

The partner of a tramper who died after being swept into a river in Fiordland expressed his grief yesterday at losing a loved one.

The body of a 22-year-old tramper who was swept away on the Milford Track has been found.

"My teeth were broken, blood came out of my mouth and Jessica was gone." A backpacker has described being unable to save a woman swept away on Milford Track.

Police had to be called after an Ashmore presented its owner with a 5g bag of cannabis.

A ''feral'' student party in Stafford St in Dunedin yesterday was shut down by police, amid concerns for the safety of intoxicated people climbing on the outside of a three-storey flat.

No matter what the weather's doing, Pamela Wade finds entertainment in Southland and Central Otago.

Miners and farmers have made way for curling, writes Elisabeth Easther.

The parents of the German teenagers presumed drowned in Foveaux Strait are returning home and say they know they are leaving their daughters behind.

An Australian film crew believes it captured two UFOs on film near Queenstown, and have posted the video online.

Pellets laced with 1080 poison will be fed to trout to assess potential risks from the planned massive dump of the pesticide in native forests.

Two Dunedin gangs - once at war - have come together to ask Dunedin's council to give them a contract mowing the city's grass.

It's no wonder people rave about the beauty of this place, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Flood-ravaged Christchurch is under deluge again today, with 50mm falling in the past 24 hours, heavier than was forecasted.

Corstorphine House's history of accommodating royals and Hollywood actors may help attract global "A-listers" when the Dunedin property goes on the market for $3.8m.

Two shocked teenagers are being helped by victim support following the launch of two homicide investigations in North Otago today.

A 47-year-old man has been taken to hospital following an incident at a rural property in Central Otago involving cyanide.

Links with the past are strong in this town built on gold, writes Elisabeth Easther.

A Wanaka police officer was left bloodied and bruised after being attacked inside his patrol car yesterday - six years after being seriously injured in a similar drink-drive stop.

A yoga retreat in Queenstown with laughs and wine, suits Rebecca Barry Hill just fine.