Stories by Niva Chittock

A close look at wastewater has revealed which towns drink most, and turned up one mysterious, particularly boozy night.

A Rolleston College student wept as she told Education Ministry staff about the state of the school.

Timaru locals had described the stench as like that of a dead animal or offal.

Health workers are "sick of waiting" for authorities to settle holiday and leave entitlement payments owed, the nurses' union says.

The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority found bar staff continued to serve the man alcohol despite his level of intoxication.

A marine mammal management plan designed to prevent collisions with high speed catamarans is also yet to be completed.

The high school was evacuated this afternoon when students deliberately lit two fires inside a school building.

Public opinion on the coalition government's planned crackdown on gang patches is divided, with some Cantabrians hoping it will make New Zealand safer, while others have concerns over how it will be…

The daughter of a woman killed in the Canterbury Television building collapse says 13 years on families are still waiting for justice.

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

A Christchurch resident says her bags are sitting packed by the door in case her family gets evacuated from the Port Hills wildfire again.

It has been another sleepless night for some evacuated Port Hills residents, some who have had close calls in the past.

Parts of history found buried under a cathedral in coffee jars will see the light of day again in a Christchurch exhibition this week.

Its chief social worker says vast advances have been made, while the minister responsible is not promising any more funding.

Fundamental requirements for children in Oranga Tamariki's care aren't being met, a new report says.

The company behind the plant in Christchurch is assuring residents it will be designed to manage any unpleasant smells.

A Christchurch residents' association says it wants to see for itself whether the council's new organics processing plant will emit a smell.

The Christchurch City Council has voted to consider a bid for a future Commonwealth Games.

Staff and patients at Christchurch Hospital are avoiding a brand new public car park because they cannot afford the fees or find it inaccessible.

Philip Arps, who has previously served time for sharing footage of the Christchurch terror attacks, was given 20 months for contravening a protection order and a threat.

Despite the axing of Auckland's plans, Greater Christchurch councils are hoping to keep their proposal going,

The New Zealand Cruise Association wants the government to help build safe cleaning facilities to reduce the number of cruise ships barred from entering the country's waters.

A Canterbury town is abuzz about a stranger jumping in to pay for items and then vanishing.

Hundreds of Cantabrians struggling to make ends meet will have a Christmas to celebrate, thanks to the kindness of strangers.

An Auckland man has resorted to treatment for an aggressive bone marrow cancer in Germany after local treatment options were unavailable or rejected by Pharmac.