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

Campground owners have been forced to increase security as freedom campers are parking nearby, then waltzing in and using their facilities for free.

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

A knife-wielding man wearing a balaclava tried to steal cigarettes and cash from a Nelson service station this morning.

Boy racers black out an intersection with tyre skidmarks.

Teenager was walking with her 12-year-old sister in Stoke when the attacker approached her near the public toilets at about 10.30pm.

Nelson Police are seeking information to help find a 15-year-old girl missing from Richmond.

A teenager has been arrested after he was seen brandishing a machete on a cycleway in Nelson south. A 17-year-old male was charged

A weak cold front will bring cloud, drizzle and showers to the country over the next few days but should clear in time for New Year celebrations.

Don't let the morning cloud fool you - it is set to be a fine Boxing Day for New Zealanders, with Central Otago tipped as the best place to be.

What will start out as a cloudy morning for most of the country should clear as the Christmas day wears on, but the odd shower is in store too.

The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

Top-up a short-term measure, ministry says

Wet weather today will clear throughout the country making way for a mainly fine Christmas weekend.

A personal emergency locator beacon has been activated near Angelus Hut between Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa.

An Irish woman was allegedly stabbed in the leg while she was out running on a beach in Nelson last night.

Dashcam footage has revealed a close call as an SUV and trailer spin out of control on a Nelson road.

While most of the country is awash with the Christmas spirit, it appears Nelson forgot about the festivities.

A Dutch rock climber was injured after falling 14m at a popular climbing spot in the South Island this afternoon.

Six fire crews are battling a "well involved" Nelson house fire and searching the property to see if anyone is inside.

Wellingtonians and people living on the top of the South Island were shaken awake as a strong quake rattled the centre of the country.

Judges orders boss to pay $12,000 to worker seriously injured when fuel tank exploded.

Police are calling for witnesses to two attempted assaults on the same woman in Nelson last night.

New Zealand is in for a relatively dry day today with areas of morning cloud and isolated showers in the north, clearing around midday and becoming mostly sunny.

A further public health message has been issued for quake affected communities.

Plans for a ferry between Whanganui and Port Motueka have been revisited. And pending a feasibility study by the council, could have the Mayor's support. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A number of schools have been closed due to flooding, affecting some students due to sit exams after afternoon.

Thieves stole a number of firearms from a South Island house while the occupants were evacuated due to yesterday's tsunami warning.

Newly-weds have a rocky start to their married life.

Most schools will open tomorrow, following hundreds of closures after the quake.