Christchurch

Lightning bolt strikes near Emirates plane in Christchurch

The scene involving an Airbus A380 was seen at 15:30 (02:30 GMT) by a pilot from Garden City Helicopters.

"The view out our window onto the tarmac today!" the company wrote on Facebook. "The Emirates plane [was] waiting for the storm to pass."

MetService New Zealand had issued thunderstorm warnings for the area.

Parts of the Canterbury region suffered severe storms, with hailstones the size of eggs in places, local media report.

Local MP Andrew Falloon filmed large hailstones falling outside his office in Timaru.

Magnitude 4.1 earthquake felt strongly in Christchurch

It came after a magnitude 3.5 earthquake on Saturday night.

According to the GeoNet website, 4746 people had reported they felt the jolt just before 9am. 

Both fire and police confirmed there had been no reports of damages reported in the minutes following the shake. 

     

Crusaders name, swords and horses have got to go, says Muslim advocate

On Wednesday the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby announced they would this season seek feedback on the Crusaders name, giving two options.

One was to remove the sword-wielding horsemen that has been part of pre-match entertainment, the second was to change the branding, as well as the Crusaders name that has been with the team since 1996.

Changing the imagery only would be an insult and defeat the purpose altogether, advocate Guled Mire told Radio New Zealand.

Added security for NRL match

Top-flight sport returns to the city on Saturday when Manly stage a "home" match at Christchurch Stadium a fortnight after the mass shootings at two mosques which claimed 50 lives.

New Zealand has been placed on a high threat alert since and police have reminded event organisers nationwide to be aware that a proliferation of memorial events has the potential to stretch law enforcement resources.

However, a large police presence remains in Christchurch and will be out in force at Friday's National Remembrance Service at Hagley Park.

George Moala relishing chance to test himself against Ryan Crotty

Up against Ryan Crotty, a lock for the All Blacks midfield, on Friday as the Blues venture south, Moala has the chance to push his claims for inclusion in June.

Cast your mind back to last year's third test against Wales and Moala's first start for the All Blacks at centre. That night in Dunedin he scored a try and made several telling breaks in a largely impressive 50 minute stint but also showed his decision-making had some way to go.

Hookworms employed in gluten battle

The trial is due to start in a few months, and aims to help the tens of thousands of people in New Zealand who suffer from coeliac disease.

The lead clinician for the trial, Richard Gearry, said it followed a similar study in Australia which showed benefits.

Professor Gearry said the worm enters the body through the skin and makes its way through the blood stream before ending up in the gut.

Christchurch hit by 5.7 earthquake

Geonet reported the epicentre of the quake was centred 15km east of Christchurch at a depth of 15km.

A cliff collapsed at Whitewash Head near Sumner and engineers are assessing it to establish its stability.

There are reports of liquefaction and flooding in parts of New Brighton.