The wintry blast that has crippled parts of the lower South Island is moving north. Heavy rain and high winds are now causing problems in Christchurch.

A major New Zealand study shows the quit-smoking drug Champix may be linked to depression and even suicide.

Almost 500 children from 15 Wellington schools have participated in the inaugural Olympic Stadium Sports Festival ahead of International Olympic Day on Sunday.

Police are pleading with the public for information about a 32-year-old Rawene woman who has been missing for 12 days.

Three mountain climbers needed a rescue last night after bearing the brunt of a snow storm a but they weren't regular mountaineers.

Time lapse of snowfall at Turoa. (Credit: MtRuapehu.com)

A tornado has been sighted in the small Waikato community of Paterangi, south of Hamilton, this afternoon.

A car has flipped on its side in an accident on Auckland's Southern Motorway.

First trailer for Infamous: Second Son, the PS4 exclusive title revealed at E3.

The first look at Respawn Entertainment's Titanfall, winner of multiple Best in Show accolades at E3 2013.

The first look at Xbox One exclusive Ryse: Son of Rome, unveiled at E3.

First trailer for Mad Max, an upcoming game from Avalanche Studios and Warner Bros that was unveiled at E3.

Hopes dimmed for talks aimed at ending the Afghan war when an angry President Hamid Karzai suspended security negotiations with the US.

A Milan court has convicted the designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of tax evasion.

Lawyers fighting to keep double murderer Mark Lundy behind bars have told the Privy Council it was tactics that led the defence to exclude certain evidence at his 2002 trial.

Lianne Dalziel says as mayor she'll be able to work with both Labour and National governments on the Christchurch rebuild.

The numbers of refugees and those displaced by conflict within their own nation are at an 18-year high.

The royals' office has released some of the expectant couple's plans, although many details are still being kept private.

The Salvation Army has taken aim at the Maori Party's attempt at minimising gambling harm.

Appealing for a new citizen activism in the free world, President Barack Obama has renewed his call to reduce US and Russian nuclear stockpiles.

Scattered street demonstrations popped up around Brazil, continuing protests against low-quality public services.

The country's balance of payments deficit has declined a little thanks to strong tourism and dairy figures.

3 News political editor Patrick Gower takes a look at the week in politics.

The head of Coliseum Sports Media says getting the rights to the EPL was as simple as picking up the phone.

Parts of the South Island were blanketed with heavy snow overnight as a winter storm sweeps over the country.

Residents in the Garden City have been bracing themselves all day for what some forecasters predicted would be the worst storm since the big dump in 1992.

Ranui 135 is a bus route in West Auckland, but now it's also part of the latest exhibition by photographer Edith Amituanai.

While whistling may be annoying for some people, but for professional whistler Dave Santucci, it's his life.

After the rowing success at the London Olympics, a number of medal winners are competing with different crews this season.

There is something very special that sums up everything good about education and community happening in the Auckland suburb of Three Kings.

The contest for the Christchurch mayoralty is shaping up to be a strong one. Bob Parker and Lianne Dalziel spoke to John Campbell.

Plumbing a whether it's unblocking a toilet or a drain, it can be a dirty business, and it's about to get dirtier.

A Kiwi priest who struggled against apartheid says when it's time for Nelson Mandela to go, people must let him do so with dignity.

While Coliseum say they're focused on football, could they challenge Sky for other sports in the future?

Taranaki Rugby Union CEO says ticket scalpers are making additional cash at others expense.

Labour MP Lianne Dalziel has formally announced she will run for Christchurch's mayoralty later this year.

The first trailer for Square Enix' Final Fantasy XV, an upcoming PlayStation 4 and Xbox One game.

A look at the new maps coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops II in Vengeance.

A pilots' group says the fill from a proposed second Mt Victoria tunnel could be used as part of a runway extension at Wellington airport.

Embattled MP Peter Dunne has been dealt another blow in his fight to get his United Future party officially re-registered.

New Zealanders are preparing for the worst as an oncoming polar blast threatens to cut power and make driving treacherous.

The best takes of the live Siege of Shanghai E3 multiplayer demo of Battlefield 4.

The way we watch televised sport is about to undergo a major shake up as EPL shifts to online coverage.

The Prime Minister lost use of one of his favourite political weapons today, thanks to a policy U-turn by the Greens.

The Maori Party's attempted king hit on gambling has turned into more of a gentle shove after a major government re-write of its Gambling Bill.

At 16 years of age, Christchurch local Josh Oliver isn't your typical weather forecaster.

The E3 gameplay reveal trailer for Tom Clancyas The Division.

The latest trailer for Activision and Bungie's upcoming Destiny.

The first full trailer for Anchorman: The Legend Continues has been released.

Latest trailer for Thief, the next-gen first-person adventure from Square Enix and Eidos-MontrAal.

A key north Canterbury bridge will be closed for at least another week as workers scramble to repair significant flood damage.

The official E3 reveal trailer for EA and PopCap Games' Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare.

World number one Novak Djokovic says the biggest mind games on court are with himself.

The Kingdom Hearts III announcement trailer, unveiled at E3 2013.

After weeks of sometimes violent confrontation with police, protesters in Turkey have found what could be a more potent form of resistance: standing still.

Fluoride a is it harming or helping us?

A severe cold snap is expected to hit the South Island today, bringing snow and bitter winds.

Bob Parker says there wouldn't have been a building consents "crisis" if Gerry Brownlee hadn't declared one.

New Zealanders are today bracing for a polar blast which will sweep up the country over the next three days.

ANZ says it's been targeted with a class action lawsuit because it's the biggest bank in the country.