Party-goers who attended an unauthorised event on Lake Wanaka's Ruby Island claim safety was paramount.

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.

Queenstown was the most inquired-about holiday destination for Kiwis in 2016 despite having the highest prices.

Four kayakers have made it back to shore safely after getting into trouble near Ruby Island on Lake Wanaka.

Queenstown and Wanaka are expected to be the hottest.

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

Driver fined for driving on the "completely wrong side of the road".

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

A man who caused the armed offenders squad to swoop on a Queenstown property has been sentenced.

A man appeared in Queenstown District Court charged with dangerous driving. Photos from a witness show a car being driven on the wrong side of the road.

Police are seeking witnesses after a woman was indecently assaulted in Queenstown about 4am on Sunday.

Overseas associates of missing man John Beckenridge, who abducted his 11-year-old stepson last year, are working with New Zealand police to track the pair down.

Four people got into difficulty due to bad weather and windy conditions. Three capsized from their plastic yellow skiffs. One was not wearing a life-jacket.

Asia is top of the wish list for Kiwi travellers using Cheapflights.co.nz.

A passenger onboard an Air New Zealand flight where an elderly man allegedly assaulted a flight attendant said he had to physically restrain the man.

Annoyed at a newspaper's questions, mayoral candidate gives back election donation.

A judge yesterday castigated a flood of drink-drivers who appeared in the Queenstown District Court.

Queenstown Police are floating the idea of a 24-hour ban on public drinking in the wake of last Saturday's Crate Day chaos in the resort.

Extra police were drafted into Queenstown after a crowd of hundreds celebrated "Crate Day" on Saturday with an impromptu party.

EXCLUSIVE: Hayley Holt has confirmed she will stand for the Green Party at next year's general election.

The driver of a $20 million McLaren F1 supercar which crashed near Queenstown on Saturday has been charged with careless driving.

McLaren staff offered a freelance photographer thousands of dollars to not sell his photos of a multi-million dollar McLaren F1 sports car which crashed near Queenstown yesterday.

A man who ran over a family of ducks in Queenstown contacted police after the incident received national media coverage yesterday.

One of Queenstown's biggest developers has called time on plans for a retirement village.

Hospitals found to have manipulated data to comply with six-hour emergency department target.

A worker has been seriously hurt in an accident at a Queenstown tortilla company.

Two women have been arrested in relation to an alleged racist incident in Queenstown.

Stephanie Holmes has a hard time tearing herself away from her suite's stunning views.

Queenstown police are investigating after allegations of a racist incident outside a restaurant at the weekend in the resort town.

A surge in Kiwis using anabolic steroids will be on the agenda at the centre of a major medical meeting this week.