Two powerful aftershocks struck Afghanistan 12 hours apart, triggering fears of more deaths and destruction in a region where recent earthquakes have killed about 2200 people.

If you look up to the sky early on Monday morning you may be greeted by a red hue over the moon.

Police say they will have an increased presence around Christchurch over the coming days after flammable projectiles were thrown at a gang pad this morning.

Strong winds are bearing down on parts of the South, including Dunedin, as some more wild weather whips up the country.

An officer who was accused of accessing the police national intelligence database to allegedly "fix a problem" for the family of Christchurch's Mama Hooch rapists has had the charges dismissed.