The rebuilding of Christchurch is ''bigger than Ben-Hur'' and will line the pockets of Dunedin contractors for up to eight years, Finance Minister Bill English says.

Jetstar has added a new transtasman flight and will fly Australians directly into Queenstown seven days a week, just days after a new airline alliance between Qantas and Emirates opened the resort to tourists from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

An innovative housing design in Lake Hawea was recognised at the 2013 New Zealand Architecture Awards, in Auckland, last night.

A neighbour with a garden hose was unable to douse a garage fire early this morning which killed a man.

You do not have to burrow too deeply into the annual government accounts to uncover the untold story of last week's Budget.

British fighter jets escorted a Pakistan International Airlines passenger plane to Stansted Airport near London, where police went on board and arrested two men on suspicion of endangering an aircraft.

Australia has lost a brave, wonderful and community-spirited woman with the death of Hazel Hawke, say tributes to the ex-wife of former prime minister Bob Hawke.