Coroner says no evidence rest home staff, care contributed to 'sad' death of Timaru man.

All live cattle exports by sea will be banned, the government announced in April.

Pierre Coster had a history of violence towards women but showed "high levels of remorse".

More than 2000 people were evacuated on Friday and Saturday.

Tekapo was the coldest spot this morning at -7 with Manapouri and Timaru close behind.

Another surge of gales and polar air is on its way.

"He would have been a very happy man with that win."

The man faced a raft of charges in the Timaru District Court today.

We can't call it a 'one-in-100 year' event, but can say climate change likely contributed.

Mop-ups under way already but torrential rain continues to fall.

People in parts of Canterbury are being ordered to head to higher ground.

Dozens of schools are closed and residents are on standby as heavy rain continues to fall.

Forecaster says an "atmospheric traffic jam" is helping drive wild weather in Canterbury.

Floodwaters in Canterbury have exceeded warnings "by a huge magnitude", Fed Farmers says.

Police were called to the incident on Hide Rd in Timaru at about 3.30am on Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to soar 10C above average in some places today.

Man appearing in court tomorrow after death in Timaru

The work was mysteriously put into storage 18 years ago, and now it's back in its place.

The woman's condition rapidly declined over the last seven days of her life.

After an evening drinking on the farm, four men set out in search of more firewood.

Pilot and aviation company which owned the plane appeared in court today.

Sea conditions were treacherous when the incident occurred, police said.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at about 5.45am on Friday.

Blenheim hit 36.1C at 4pm, smashing its January temperature record set in 1972.

Man died after being hit by a truck.

Some of New Zealand's biggest manufacturers and brands are repeat offenders.

'Boys get the priority', says McAuley High School principal Jan Waelen.

The second livestock ship this year has been and gone as Govt review drags on.

Members of the public are advised to avoid the area if possible.