Anna Sargent

A group that looks after Ashley River said the four-wheel-driver's actions were "glaringly predictable and disappointing".

Firefighters from Queenstown, Nelson, Invercargill and Dunedin airports have spent the last week in Christchurch training on four new fire trucks from Austria.

Tempted by peanut butter, dog biscuits and even soap, more than 600 Stewart Island rats have been caught by cunning school children on a mission to protect Rakiura's kiwi.

A memorial service to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Ballantynes department store fire will be held at the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral this evening.