Heavy rainfall has left families isolated in the Tapawera area, south-west of Nelson, with 20 households evacuated so far.

A former mayoral candidate accused of secretly filming a woman living in a house he owned says he was only doing what any other "red-blooded male" would have done.

Labour's leader launches an attack on next week's Govt budget, accusing it of creating an unfair NZ which is increasingly lagging behind Australia.

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

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

Police name a couple who died in an apparent murder-suicide after shots were fired at a Nelson camping ground yesterday.

A witness reported seeing an armed man enter a caravan before screams and shots were heard.

Nelson treats are hard to beat.

Blenheim police say a suspected drunk driver who killed another motorist after crashing last night was not being chased.

The official warning over a tsunami that threatened the entire east coast of New Zealand today has been downgraded to an advisory, but there is still a threat from ocean surges.

Civil Defence authorities have downgraded the tsunami warning for New Zealand. However, New Zealand authorities are warning that there could be surges for up to 24 hours.

New Zealand east coastal areas aren't out of the woods yet, with Civil Defence authorities and scientists electing keep the tsunami warning in place.