The Government has committed to rebuilding State Highway 1 to Kaikoura - at a cost of more than $1 billion.

People whose houses were damaged in last month's earthquake can apply for a $1000 Red Cross grant.

Hokitika woman Lisa Tumahai yesterday stepped into the top role of the billion-dollar Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu.

The quake struck just after midnight on November 14, causing massive fault line ruptures and slips, damaging buildings and closing key roads.

As 2016 draws to a close, the NZ Science Media Centre picked some of the biggest national and international science stories that made headlines

Just "three or four" slips remain across State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura at this stage and teams are working hard to clear them.

A string of light earthquakes have hit several parts of the country since Seddon was rattled by a 4.7 magnitude quake last night.

GNS Science says the probability of a big quake has increased following the Kaikoura earthquake.

More than a dozen aftershocks have rattled the country since midnight last night.

New 3D fly-through footage of the Kaikoura coastline is being used to assess key areas of damage.

A major expedition to the submarine Kaikoura Canyon is assessing whether the November 14 quake elevated tsunami risks to coastal settlements.

The Green Party has released its updated drug law reform policy, which would regulate access to cannabis and allow for medicinal cannabis.

The most detailed satellite imagery showing the impact of the 7.8 magnitude Kaikoura earthquake on November 14 has been released.

The subsidy will continue for another eight weeks and extends to businesses in Hanmer Springs and wider Hurunui District.

A virtual shopping service to help Kaikoura's quake-hit retailers is flourishing.

After an exam season marred by mistakes, the date NCEA students will be able to check their results online has been released.

A badly quake-damaged stretch of State Highway 1 south of Kaikoura could be reopened by mid-December, says Simon Bridges.

Canterbury's Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to drive with caution while the Lewis Pass alternate highway (State Highway 7)

Motorists travelling the alternative route between Christchurch and Picton have been caught up in heavy congestion today, as traffic pressure mounts on the post-quake thoroughfare.

The "drag queen disco" protest outside Destiny Church today was a great success, says the organiser.

According to Tamaki, Harry Potter is a tool to recruit people toward evil.

Amazing NASA photos have revealed new land off the coast of Kaikoura, raised out of ocean the by last month's 7.8 magnitude earthquake

From Monday milk tankers and other essential freight will be given access in and out of Kaikoura.

More New Zealand transport companies have started billing a surcharge as a result of last month's earthquake.

Kaikoura's fur seals famously splashed and frolicked in a pool at the foot of a waterfall. And then the earthquake came.

In a meeting with residents last night, Civil Defence staff confirmed two thirds of the village can't return to their homes just yet.

A second baby blue penguin has been welcomed to Picton's EcoWorld.

Govt says a public message about unusual seismic activity under the North Island was not a cause for alarm.

Tourism will weather last month's magnitude 7.8 quake, but Treasury is warning the total cost of the disaster could reach up to $3 billion.

The moderate quake, which was 24km deep, jolted Kaikoura just before 6.15pm.