Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.

The first wave has reached the Chatham Islands, after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile overnight. An official tsunami alert remains in place for New Zealand's entire east coast.

A teenage girl who fought off a shark was lucky the animal only gave her an "exploratory bite", an expert says.

A 14-year-old boogie-boarder attacked by a shark says she stood on something slippery before seeing a "massive grey thing twisting in the water".

Summer has ground to a spectacular halt in a number of regions over the past week - is it going to get even worse?

Tuatapere has created a unique walking track with a difference, says Andrew Stone.

Jacqui Madelin delves into the historic Riverton coast.

Parents on remote Stewart Island say the bureaucrats are not making their quest for an early childhood teacher any easier.