Canterbury

It has been 13 years since the building was extensively damaged in the earthquakes.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown remains confident that the town's second bridge won't fall into what could be a $24 billion fiscal hole.

Authorities say they will move to the "recovery phase" shortly.

Cheaper public transport in Christchurch meant more people on lower incomes had more money for everyday essentials, including food, a new study shows.

Musician Tiki Taane has surprised lunchtime crowds in Christchurch with a free concert on one of the city's trams.

Canterbury Regional Council is investigating reports of a hideous smell plaguing Timaru.

"Extensive damage to the courses and ongoing safety concerns on the site" make it impossible for the event to go ahead, organisers say.

Far-right activist Kyle Chapman has avoided jail, telling a court he now wants to be a father first.

The cause of Christchurch's Port Hills fire is yet to be determined, but police say residents have come forward with good information for the investigation. Audio

Police have spoken to people seen on the Port Hills walking track before a large blaze began last week.

A southerly wind change this evening is expected to help cool the land as crews continue to deal with the fire.

The 300 hectare vegetation fire jumped its containment line this afternoon but firefighters have been working successfully to contain it again. Audio

More than 100 firefighters are still working to fully extinguish a vegetation blaze on Christchurch's Port Hills, but resources will be scaled back in the coming days. Audio

Although the impact of the latest fire has not quite been as severe as those seven years ago, it has sparked questions about the area's future, particularly its land use makeup.

Trampers are frustrated that a popular South Island trail has been closed because the toilets are too full.

Homes have been evacuated in North Canterbury as firefighters battle a vegetation fire that broke out in Waikari Valley.

Arthur's Pass, between Canterbury and the West Coast has reopened near the Waimakariri River bridge, after a crash.

Firefighters tackling the Port Hills fire have snuffed out more than half of the dozens of hotspots identified over the past 24 hours.

Residents affected by the Port Hills fire are working to improve fire resilience around their properties as the blaze continues in Christchurch, five days on.

Firefighting helicopters have been grounded by a private drone, as authorities beg for members of the public to stay away.