Canterbury

A local rūnanga says the saga involving a site considered tapu has been "incredibly frustrating" for his whānau.

"There is zero chance we will get rid of level 1, until anyone provides an alternative."

The area has been suffering from low rainfall for many months.

The 63-year-old Christchurch man left all of his belongings inside his rented house, and a message on his door that read "farm".

The man lost a bid to be released from jail early because of the effect his imprisonment is having on his 11 children.

Yixia Chen denied charges of neglect and possession of a drug utensil, following the death of an infant last year.

Christchurch's Air Force Museum saw a 36 percent increase in visitor numbers on the same period last summer, which its director attributes to a rainy festive season.

From tomorrow the whole Canterbury fire district from north of the Rakaia River to south of the Clarence River will move into a restricted fire season.

It's great news for swimmers, Te Whatu Ora says.

The axe still hangs above Balmoral Hall in Ashburton, but its dancers are at least relieved they have time to find a new venue.

A new community pool is to be built in the Christchurch suburb of St Albans, 18 years after the previous one was demolished.

Fossils from an ichthyosaurs found in North Canterbury are helping advanced understanding of these dolphin-like reptiles.

Police responded to the crash on Old West Coast Road in Selwyn around 11am, and found two people in a critical condition.

Sir Peter Skelton - who was also an Environment Canterbury Commissioner - has been made Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to environmental law.

Metservice meterologist John Law says a tornado is "definitely not out of the question".

Beaches across the country have been forced to close this week after shark sightings.

A group of school pupils suggested there was nothing to do for young people in Ashburton during a Youth Forum presentation to the mayor and councillors earlier this year.

Salmon, ham, barbecued Brazilian beef, oysters and ambrosia dessert are among the offerings.

Americans Kurt Blair and Carlos Romero and an unnamed Canadian national have been missing since 2 December.

A Christchurch grandmother is now confident Christmas will be a good day, after receiving a hamper of food and presents from a Christchurch Methodist Mission programme.