Stories by Maja Burry

The government spent $443,400 on a working group looking at the restoration of the quake damaged Christ Church Cathedral, but its fate has still not been agreed upon.

It will take decades for 2000 hectares of fire-damaged land on Christchurch's Port Hills to recover, an ecology expert says.

The Kaikōura earthquake could create opportunities for Pacific workers helping with the Christchurch rebuild as part of a trades training programme.

NASA's flying laboratory, which is conducting a worldwide survey of the earth's atmosphere, has touched down in Christchurch for a second season. Video

Pāua divers support extending a ban on collecting shellfish in Kaikōura - even though it has left many of them jobless.

Fifty people became New Zealanders today at a Waitangi Day citizenship ceremony at Tuahiwi Marae near Christchurch.

Three former Cera staff facing allegations they tried to use their roles for financial gain have either stepped down, or been stood down, from their new government roles.

Allegations that staff of the now-defunct Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority used their position for financial advantage are 'damaging', the minister responsible says.

Some North Canterbury farmers are still living in primitive accommodation because their homes are so badly earthquake-damaged, a rural trust says.

A storm is expected to lash parts of the country tomorrow bringing gales of up to 160km/h, torrential rain and a chance of snow on higher ground.

The owner of a Christchurch property overrun with junk and scrap items says she has been trying to remove the tenant living there for over a year.

Firefighters with chainsaws are felling burning trees, while four helicopters douse hotspots from above as the scrub fire battle continues.

Union members have gone on strike for the past two weekends over changes to work rosters, and say they will continue for the next two as well.

A Kaikōura cheese maker says local businesses will need continued support from the government until State Highway 1 north of the town reopens.

A 25-year-old man is in hospital after an intruder shot him in a Christchurch house.

The gap between rich and the poor has continued to widen and it is a scandal that people are living in poverty, says Michael Gorman.

Some of the families of the 29 men killed at Pike River Mine six years ago have blocked the road and will not let Solid Energy pass. Audio

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says a report has found restoring Lancaster Park would cost at least $250m, making it uneconomic. Video

Some of the more than 3000 people who made submissions on a proposed hydro electric power scheme on a West Coast river are expected to be heard in Hokitika this week.

An army convoy carrying much-needed fuel to Kaikōura has arrived, as locals are warned their own access to the road could be weeks away. Video

One person is dead and another is critically injured after a four-car crash near Moeraki.

Southlanders could be getting some answers into why they roll their 'R's with new research looking into the region's distinctive accent being given the green light.

Residents in busy West Coast town Punakaiki are calling for an urgent crack-down on freedom campers as the tourist season nears.

Westland District Council's new mayor says a $6.2 million waste water treatment plant for the Franz Josef township is unlikely to go ahead under his watch.

The Westland District Council has acknowledged a proposed $6.2m wastewater plant, for a town with about 300 ratepayers, could be scrapped after elections.