A massive blaze has engulfed the hills above Waimate in south Canterbury and tonight continues to burn.

Stretched Canterbury firefighters are battling two large scrub fires, one in Rolleston and one in Waimate.

Firefighters are continuing to battle a 120 hectare scrub fire in Waimate, which has now spread into forest.

Santa Claus is coming to town - and the weather is looking fantastic for his long ride down from the North Pole.

The festive season is a time of excess. But as the country’s top traffic officer Paula Rose tells Alan Perrott, there is little cheer in counting its cost.

New Zealand's top winemakers will battle it out at the inaugural Riesling Challenge today.

Universal or voluntary membership? That was the question put to tertiary students in 1999 after the National Government passed a law insisting they choose how they should belong to their student association.

Hilton Worldwide announces the signing of management agreements for two new properties.

Dunedin's new stadium has attracted its first major singing act, with Sir Elton John set to perform late next year.

A climber is reported to have been killed and a paraglider has spinal injuries after accidents on two South Island mountains today.

New Zealand sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke claimed a notable scalp when beating 49er world champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen at the Sail Sydney regatta yesterday.

An Otago University study has challenged the idea that depression and anti-social behaviour are primarily influenced by genes.

Like your frocks fabulous and your produce pesticide-free? Dunedin's for you, writes Rachel Grunwell.

Emergency services were called to Wellington International Airport after a plane was forced to return shortly after take-off this afternoon.