A second US ship is on its way to New Zealand waters, following last year's warship visit.

Anxious wait over for 7500 top students who will get their scholarship results today.

The young son of murder victim Alexsis Tovizi is among scores of traumatised children in desperate need of counselling after last November's earthquake.

There was nothing unusual about the late-night 5.1 quake that shook Marlborough and the lower North Island on Wednesday, says a scientist.

The dramatic, kilometres-deep canyons that lie hidden beneath our waves need protection from human pollution and damage, scientists say.

Beds and houses shook uncontrollably in the late-night quake, scaring thousands of people.

A 5.1 magnitude quake has struck north-east of Kaikoura late tonight.

Kaikoura quake damage to businesses has topped $900 million, according to insurance figures.

Tourism continues to boom in New Zealand with spending by domestic and international visitors approaching $26b for the past year.

NZTA is prioritising clearing Lewis Pass, the main transport link between Picton and Christchurch since November's big earthquake.

More than 20,000 students asked for an emergency derived grade following the Kaikoura earthquake.

The wait is over - NCEA results are now available.

A large vegetation fire that came within five metres of a new Blenheim subdivision and forced the evacuation of 60 homes was deliberately lit, authorities have confirmed.

The Kaikoura earthquake badly hit tourism spending in the region but national figures are brighter.

A slip has closed State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura, as the impact of November's magnitude 7.8 earthquake continues.

South Island locals and international visitors will this week be able to visit Kaikoura by bus again for the first time since last year's earthquake.

Bad weather and the risk of rockfalls has forced the closure of State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura.

Big swells predicted to surge up the eastern side of New Zealand from Kaikoura to north of Mahia Peninsula

2016 has won GeoNet's "dubious honour" of having the largest amount of recorded earthquakes in the network's history.

Springs Junction - the tiny settlement connecting State Highways 7 and 65 - now boasts two food caravans as well as a service station and cafe both operating 24/7.

Suspiciously quickly, the Government re-opened SH1 south of Kaikoura just before Christmas.

Steve Braunias looks back on a year of thinking dangerously.

Kiwi anglers will be able to log their catch this summer - and contribute to data around our fish stocks - thanks to a free app.

Funding boost comes after scrutiny of the official response to the Kaikoura earthquake, particularly how quickly a tsunami alert was issued.

COMMENT: Recovery from the Kaikoura earthquakes should be an improvement on what we did in Canterbury.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges officially reopens the road south of Kaikoura.

The main road into Kaikoura from the south has been opened to daytime traffic in time for Christmas.

All Blacks great Richie McCaw flies with Santa into earthquake-battered Kaikoura today.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has had another up-close look at damage to SH1 as he prepares to make an announcement about reopening the road to Kaikoura's south.

Preparations are under way to tear down carpark building damaged in Wellington quake.