Canterbury Region

A counter-terrorism expert says St John needed to have a plan and training for a terror attack because "you don't learn to dance the night of the ball".

Armed Offenders Squad members rushed to Christchurch Hospital's ED in the middle of the terror attack response after a false report by a St John staffer that a shooting was taking place there.

A senior police tactical operator told the inquest he contemplated going to St John himself to ask them to have paramedics attend Al Noor Mosque.

The scene at the Linwood Islamic Centre following the Christchurch terror attacks was unlike anything he had been confronted by before, a community doctor who rushed to help wounded worshippers says.

More than a decade after the devastating quakes, Culture 101 spoke to a panel about the cultural renewal of the Christchurch CBD. Audio

Tour bus access to one of the best views in New Zealand is being restricted due to safety concerns.

The two-vehicle crash happened on Main South Road in Selwyn on Friday afternoon.

A scorching day in the Garden City brought masses of people to the second day of the New Zealand Agricultural Show. Audio

Dramatic recordings of police radio communications as the mosque attacks unfolded capture officers scrambling to respond have been played in the inquest into the shootings.

A senior policeman has told the Christchurch mosque inquest that there is always a risk of attacks at New Zealand places of worship.

Paramedics spent more than six minutes parked and needed to be convinced to proceed to Linwood Islamic Centre, an Australian police officer says.

An AOS medic says he was not aware of a "load and go" strategy to help worshippers shot in the terror attack at Christchurch's Linwood Islamic Centre, because ambulances were so stretched.

Police officers used their own vehicles to take people shot at Christchurch's Linwood Islamic Centre to hospital because they knew ambulance resources were limited, an inquest has heard.

Craig Stockdale broke down in tears describing trying to treat worshippers who needed surgeons, not paramedics, after being shot at Christchurch's Al Noor Mosque.

Craig Stockdale has told the Coroners Court ambulances "were not simply stopped" on Deans Avenue despite evidence given by police officers.

The Armed Offenders Squad member said the attack was "off the charts" and police could not deal with the number of injured victims alone.

A sperm whale stranded on a Christchurch beach has died overnight.

Mohammad Siddiqui and Ahmad Alayedy have told the inquest into the Christchurch terror attack they kicked out a glass panel in an emergency exit door because it would not open.

The squad member said a handover to other staff about first aid treatment would have been helpful - but he failed to do so before leaving Al Noor Mosque.