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.

Firefighters are praying for rain to help them fully extinguish the huge fire near Dunedin. The cost to fight the blaze is now over $500,000.

A major fire near Dunedin is continuing its destructive path through a large forestry plantation.

Put yourself on course to becoming a wine buff with one of the many classes available throughout the country.

Summer has ground to a spectacular halt in a number of regions over the past week - is it going to get even worse?