Pike River families are still waiting to hear if police will lay criminal charges as a result of the disaster that left 29 men dead 15 years ago.

A parent fielding concerns from others after testing found asbestos in a range of coloured play sand says they feel like nobody is giving them clear advice on what to do with sand in their homes.

A Christchurch man who won $18.3 million in the weekend Lotto draw says it was the first ticket the family had bought in a decade.

A man lost sight in his right eye because of delays in getting the required treatment, including not being called back to an appointment for a much-needed injection.