Marlborough

The Central Stags have won the Super Smash men's cricket title.

Finding the right names for new streets remains a peak to summit, with three proposals dividing councillors.

The site has been the scene of three known crashes within a five-year period, including one involving a vehicle towing a caravan.

More than $1 million has been spent on a "lifesaver" travel subsidy for businesses in the Marlborough Sounds, who are now having to adapt to operating without it.

Trips are going ahead but conditions will make them unpleasant, one operator says.

Thirteen new sections off a flood-damaged road in the Marlborough Sounds have been granted consent, despite concerns about sediment runoff and the removal of vegetation.

Sea conditions are expected to deteriorate due to a southerly front on Sunday afternoon.

It is an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 to disturb, harass, harm, injure or kill a sperm whale.

Wild holiday weather has left Cook Strait ferry passengers bracing for a rough ride, and some New Year's Eve crossings cancelled.

Four brigades and two helicopters were sent to locate the fire in Onamalutu.

An alcohol ban will return for the streets of the small town hosting the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, with talks of the ban being made permanent.

The hostage situation lasted almost a day and ended peacefully when a man was arrested.

A man accused of murdering a woman in her Blenheim home last month can now be identified as her son.

Nicola Willis won't say how much the plan will cost. Winston Peters has been made "Minister for Rail". And Labour says there's still "no more information about what they're actually going to do".

They were flown to Hutt Hospital in Wellington after falling onto the range on Tuesday afternoon.

The announcement is expected on Wednesday. Audio

The trees at Horton Park have been cut down ahead of schedule due to the risk of falling debris for people using the park.

Drivers are being urged to take extra care on South Island roads, and warned that roads could close, as heavy rain and wind warnings spread orange and yellow across the MetService map.

The future of some core environmental projects hangs in the air as funding starts to dry up - including one described as a "community movement".

Police have launched a homicide investigation after a woman was found dead at a property in Blenheim on Monday.