Stories by Adriana Weber

A volunteer left traumatised after helping rescue people from a collapsed building following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake has won a landmark case.

Teenagers bored during their school holidays are turning to lighting fires, police in Upper Hutt say.

Rest homes fear they will be hit hard by new immigration rules, and lose thousands of migrant care workers, the Aged Care Association says.

An army of volunteers has taken to the streets of flood-stricken Edgecumbe this morning to help with the clean-up.

A man and woman who died in a microlight crash in the Clutha district left in good weather conditions, the Civil Aviation Authority says.

Farmers say growing the dairy industry and reducing agriculture's environmental footprint is achievable, despite the Ministry for the Environment saying otherwise.

Friends of two Wellington College students who boasted on social media about taking advantage of drunk, unconscious girls say it was just a joke. Audio

The Environment Minister has rejected claims by Forest and Bird that new water quality standards covers just 10 percent of New Zealand rivers.

Corrections chief executive Ray Smith says restraining a prisoner for up to 16 hours at a time was a 'very extreme' measure to save his life. Audio

A report predicts populations in many regions will drop or stagnate within three decades, posing a challenge for local economies - but mayors are optimistic about the future.

More than a week after the massive fire in the Port Hills of Christchurch, residents who narrowly escaped losing their homes are still counting themselves lucky. Video

Civil Defence says 100°C hotspots from the Port Hills fire still pose a risk, while "fire tourists" cause issues in cordoned areas.

Two insects imported from Europe will this week be released to help tackle a highly invasive weed threatening some farms.

A Northland dairy farmer says a government support package will do little to help those struggling in the drought-stricken region.

New Zealand potato farmers and processors are expected to profit from a shortage of the vegetable in Australia.

Black-grass may not be as invasive and hard to control in New Zealand as in other countries, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.

Crop farmers are being asked to be wary of black-grass, after the invasive weed was found growing in mid-Canterbury.

St John is rolling out new ambulances for people weighing more than 300kg, after the number of obese patients transported by the service doubled in six years.

A pest-free kiwi sanctuary in the Rimutaka Forest Park will double in size, with hopes the number of birds there will flourish when pests are out of the picture. Video

Rugby fans hoping to catch a game during the British and Irish Lions Tour might be forced to couch surf if they have not already booked accommodation.

Clothing found near the scene of Lois Tolley's death could belong to her killers, police say.

"He was moving around the cell trying to keep warm, trying to sleep using his shoe as a pillow, and definitely the thoughts going through his head were very dark." Audio

Former Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown asked for a ratepayer-funded tattoo as her leaving gift. The council said no, choosing a park bench instead.

Police are investigating a large scrub fire in Blenheim, which threatened 30 homes in the Wither Hills area.