Otago

Wānaka's Luca Harrington has been crowned champion at the FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup in Klagenfurt, Austria.

This morning, a police spokesperson said a threat had been made by phone, specific to the flight due to depart Auckland Airport for Dunedin at 5.40pm.

Police want parents to know where their children are and what they are doing after 300 young people were involved in multiple fights in Dinosaur Park in Wānaka.

Test results show high levels of bacteria near the Lake Hāwea Holiday Park and at Otokia Creek at Brighton Beach.

Emily Rutherford says the app keeps reporting the temperature in her part of Central Otago is up to 5C cooler than MetService predicts - and even that is underestimating the summer heat.

Multiple investigations have been launched into allegations of animal cruelty on a farm leased by former NBC Today show host Matt Lauer.

Mastodon, Slayer and Whitechapel are not among the usual clientele for the average New Zealand tradie.

Much of the country can look forward to brighter skies this weekend, with temperatures into the 30s expected for Central Otago for Saturday.

A Dunedin man with a learning disability is spending Christmas Day cooped up inside a motel, as the date to move back into his flood-damaged house keeps being pushed back. Video

The log appeared to have been deposited by the river during the flood, and sat on a chain which held the stormwater flap gate open.

Another 20 people were injured, two critically, in the crash on 19 December.

Police are warning people to drive carefully this holiday season after four people have died on the roads in the past 24 hours. Audio

The men face several charges including drug supply, drug possession and unlawful firearm possession.

Former Greens candidate Jack Brazil has been arrested in Ireland for the alleged looting of a Footlocker store in Ireland.

A lawyer for the fast-food chain says it will reduce its opening hours from 6am-11pm and make its sign smaller.

Fire and Emergency is banning fireworks, open-air fires and sky lanterns in many areas of Hawke's Bay and Otago.

Hato Hone St John says it has treated 20 people after a crash that's killed one and critically injured others near the Devil's Staircase this afternoon.

First Person: For people with dementia, it's increasingly hard to feel merry amidst the expectations and chaos of Christmas. Those who love and want to connect with them learn to make the most of…

Fireworks and open-air fires have been banned in parts of Otago.

Comedian and actor Kura Forrester chats about discovering her inner clown in Paris, making friends with her hearing aids and the fine art of taking selfies with Shortland Street fans. Video, Audio