John Muchirahondo, who has played for at least three New Zealand football clubs, has been charged with raping four women in three years.

The bridge has reopened to light traffic after hours of stress tests, but further work will happen on Wednesday evening to confirm its strength to heavy vehicles.

Ex-girlfriend alleges Jake Bezzant used intimate photos of her to impersonate her online.

By the end of next week, the way the hospital operates will be closer to normal, chief executive Kevin Snee says.

Christopher Dench, 63, has been remembered by his eldest son as a "very, very humorous guy".

The lawyer of a group of Chinese men says it is disappointing his clients were not allowed to stay in New Zealand despite their employer being charged.

The earthquake hit about 1.50pm on Wednesday. More than 10,000 people have reported feeling the shake.

Following an investigation of 10 illegal Chinese construction workers, an employer could be fined up to $10,000 for using unlawful migrant labour.

Councillors warned that people have had enough as repairs to the road over Tākaka Hill take "three years and three months – and counting".

Crash in Carterton's main street originally charged as manslaughter.

National leader said that she was aware of an investigation into outgoing MP Nick Smith, but did not know the details, and did not ask him to leave.

A High Court ruling last year found police couldn't stop the Transport Ministry fraudster accessing her KiwiSaver funds, despite still owing thousands to the Crown.

Canterbury’s small braided rivers took much of the brunt of the flooding from the deluge of recent days, with many exceeding 10-year event record levels.

About 1300 athletes and coaches in 11 sports will be supported by 600 volunteers and 200 officials at December's National Summer Games in Hamilton.

Labour MP Kiri Allan is hoping this week will be her ninth and final week of treatment for stage three cervical cancer.

The fact that the officer was wrong, made a mistake and a mistake that resulted in a death, did not make them criminally culpable, defence submitted.

Te Pae has announced it will be open for business almost exactly a year after a previous proposed date.

As the clean-up from the floods begins elsewhere in Canterbury, Selwyn Huts residents are braced for worse to come.

Crews from both the west and east coasts have been working around the clock to get State Highway 73 back in action.

An Auckland man who threatened to snap the bones of a man he kidnapped and robbed has been sentenced to home detention.