Residents readied to picked over what remains after up to 40 homes destroyed or damaged.

Luke Savigny killed a passenger while on supervision for similar driving offences.

Fire crews still battling to protect homes today, drone finds 'significant hotspots'.

Retired farmland and rampant wilding pines make a "huge" stockpile of fire-ready fuel.

'It was pretty dramatic,' says family who had camped about 5km across the lake.

Dog owners are asked to remove their pet's poo from Wingatui Racecourse.

Samuel Anderson had been in the relationship for only a few months when violence started.

The family of Sophia Crestani are still heartbroken a year after her tragic death.

Time to put on the summer sheets - overnight temperatures could be much warmer than usual.

The 26-year-old was sentenced on five charges of making an intimate visual recording.

Medical school withdraws planned changes on Māori, Pasifika and refugee applicants.

Virus could be detected in wastewater and traced back to the source, says Otago academic.

Icy winds will round out the month, with some in the South Island in for a freezing night.

Heaviest snowfalls in years blanket Otago and Southland for start of school holidays.

After the driver began 'drifting and rallying' this 18-year-old decided she'd had enough.

'In places with snow and forecasted southwesterlies it will get pretty heinous.'

A rapidly deepening low has hit with heavy rain, gales, snow - and cold temperatures.

Authorities are taking no chances with Auckland Harbour Bridge as gales threaten.

Man's family have had to battle system to get him urgent medical care.

Man's actions in the cemetery leave victim fearing what else he is capable of.

Principals' leader stirs up a storm by advocating cannabis legalisation.

"The stench was incredible. Absolutely no one could live downwind of that place."

One person has died in a single-car crash on Ravensbourne Rd in Dunedin.

After her mum was murdered, Georgina Jacobs had little to remember her by - until now.

Man admits speeding and reckless driving in crash that killed 20-year-old woman.

Check Metservice before travelling, a meteorologist warns.

Ollie Walker punched a Corrections officer so hard, he was left unable to speak properly.

She set up the company while he arranged for invoices to be paid - but no work was done.

Judge Michael Turner said the case underscored a "common misconception" in the community.

The university will oppose the court action.