Paul Currie accidentally used a broad-spectrum herbicide to treat his grass, prompting his neighbours to think he had been targeted by vandals.

The US space giant has been linked to an apparent unauthorised flight over Wanaka yesterday morning by Sir Peter Jackson's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car.

Following 10 days of unsettled weather in the wake of Cyclone Pam, Nasa will make its second attempt to launch its heavy-lift super pressure balloon.

All systems are go for the launch from Wanaka Airport this morning of Nasa's heavy-lift super pressure balloon.

There will be no prosecution over a burn-off at Wanaka last October, despite many official complaints about smoke from the fire blanketing the town.

It has been a "bad and very sad year already" for aviation in the south, the Civil Aviation Authority says.

Tributes are flowing in today for two of New Zealand's most experienced Cessna pilots who died in a horror crash that also claimed the lives of their two children.

Four bodies - believed to be from the same family - were last night recovered from the wreckage of a light aircraft near Wanaka.

The wife of Steve Combe, the Wanaka pilot killed in a helicopter crash, says her husband was 'larger than life'.

The death of two tourists whose campervan was swept away in a slip was the result of a "tragic coming together of a number of events", a coroner has found.

Police have found a sleeping bag and other items believed to belong to missing climber Simon Bell.

As search efforts continue, police are piecing together the last known whereabouts of missing climber Simon Bell.

A mountaineer aiming to conquer a record 100 NZ peaks - and who once saved a companion's life in a daring rescue - is missing in Mt Aspiring National Park.

The body of a well-regarded music journalist who went missing while tramping in Mount Aspiring National Park has been found.

Friends of Scott "Brock" Oliver are coming to terms with news the lively DJ and journalist is presumed drowned after going missing in high country.

A "one-off" drug deal at a Wanaka preschool has resulted in two teachers having their registrations torn up.

Volunteering circles in Wanaka have been left devastated by the death of Maureen "Mo" Schofield, who slipped and fell 40m while walking the Fern Burn Track on Monday.

A 68-year-old woman who died after slipping and falling about 40m from a walking track near Wanaka has been identified as Maureen Anne Schofield.

A 69-year-old Wanaka woman died yesterday after slipping and falling about 40m from a Department of Conservation walking track near Glendhu Bay, Wanaka.

Wanaka man Duncan Boswell has won his battle to get to Gallipoli. He and son Rhys will be part of the New Zealand contingent attending the centenary of the World War I Anzac campaign.

Professional freestyle skier caught drink-driving is discharged without conviction.

Eveline Harvey and her family check into a well-appointed apartment in Central Otago.

These beautifully-appointed apartments in a quiet street offer the perfect holiday accommodation option for families.

For further information see wla.co.nz.

Three people killed in a horror smash in Central Otago this afternoon were all foreign nationals, police say.