The Independent Police Conduct Authority will investigate the death of a 22-year-old man after a brief police chase in Christchurch this morning.

Resort has eating outlets, water frontage and established clientele.

Nine tourists have been stranded by floodwaters on State Highway 1 north of Oamaru after failing to observe warning signs earlier today.

Heavy rain and gales are expected to lash the main islands from tonight, with the MetService warning of one of the "bigger weather events" for some time.

Rugged up and in sturdy shoes, with a rucksack full of clothes, shampoo and cash, Jeanette Mary Alder was going "as far as she could go".

The Health and Disability Commissioner has suggested that access to publicly-funded health services depends on where patients live.

A girl was pinned under a quad bike with her dying mother after the bike stalled on a steep track, rolled and plummeted 7m into a creek bed.

Three activists are welcoming news the Crown may try to sue them for $1.1 million, despite the saboteurs having around $1000 between them.

A man in his 40s has been charged with two counts of murder and will appear in the Greymouth District Court tomorrow.

John Key says having to pay to use an internationally renowned walking track "isn't ideal", but it is better than the track being closed.

Severe gales powerful enough to damage trees and power lines are set to lash the east coast of the South Island and the parts of the North Island.

The decision to acquit the Waihopai saboteurs surprised Prime Minister John Key who is not ruling out a law change.