Latest from South Island

Tirama Mai: Central Christchurch lit up with work of local artists

Cathedral Square and surrounding areas have been transformed with lighting installations.

Swimmer missing at waterfall, second person plucked to safety

Search and rescue teams have been dispatched to Maruia Falls in Shenandoah near Murchison.

Motel where murder accused stayed was bugged by police

The woman was at the motel while her house was forensically searched.

Gang trio intimidated man and took his vehicles

One of the men, Taylor Rangi Gage, was sentenced to 29 months in jail for the offending.

'He thought it was funny': Porn actress abused online

Victim subjected to a slew of online abuse and fake stories.

Hundreds report feeling quake near Seddon

GeoNet says the 4.4-magnitude earthquake resulted in "moderate" shaking.

Matariki and Midwinter at Scott Base: 'We've not seen sun since April'

'It can be challenging to keep high spirits so far away from the sun.'

Man jailed for violent attack on partner

Nathan Steven Graham will be jailed for 22 months for the brutal abuse of his partner.

Picton crash claims seven lives: Victims' church friends grieving

A church congregation is in mourning after three members were killed in horrific crash.

Earthquake warning could save your life

Is now the time to invest in an earthquake early warning system for New Zealand?

Picton crash: Images reveal true horror of smash that killed seven

A van with nine people inside smashed head-on into a refrigerated goods truck.

'Absolutely tragic': Seven lives lost in 'blink of an eye' in crash near Picton

Koromiko resident said she heard two big bangs around 7.45am, followed by sirens.

A Ukrainian family fled to NZ to escape war. Tragedy struck just eight weeks later

Leonid Yurasov's 'most cherished dream' was for his family to be together in safety.

Staff, customers unhappy with 'rotten cold' conditions in Countdown supermarket

A Countdown store in Dunedin has been described as a 'rotten cold' disgrace.

Jacinda Ardern visits Queenstown skifield to mark start of ski season

Hospitality and tourism sectors are grappling with a critical worker shortage.

Man who rammed police car sentenced to community work

He was only facing an infringement notice when police found him. Then he flipped.

School fits hidden detectors to tackle 'crazy' vaping epidemic

Aggressive marketing and evolving technology leaves schools battling a vaping 'epidemic'.

Double tragedy: Joint inquest for double killer's victim and father of his first victim

Shock news that Paul Wilson had killed again too much for first victim's father.