New Zealand

A hot air balloon bursts into flames and crashes in New Zealand, killing all 11 people on board in the country’s worst air accident in more than three decades.

After 24 years of hurt, the All Blacks lift the Webb Ellis trophy again – but only after France take it right down to the wire.

New Zealand are favourites to beat France in the rugby world cup final on Sunday, but the Europeans say they should not be written off.

New Zealand storms into the rugby World Cup final after overpowering Australia 20-6 in a brutally efficient display of power rugby.

Oil from a ship stranded off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island is starting to reach the shore, damaging wildlife along the coast.

England centre Manu Tuilagi is fined £3,000 after jumping from a ferry in Auckland, adding to England’s controversy on their return home following defeat.

Australia put defending champions South Africa out of the Rugby World Cup, defeating them 11-9 in Wellington. In the other quarter-final, New Zealand overpowered Argentina 33-10.

France face Wales in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals after defeating a disappointing England 19-12 in Auckland. An impressive Wales beat Ireland 22-10 in Wellington.

If all eyes were on the latter stages of the tournament, France and New Zealand could see losing their tie as advantageous. But an age-old enmity means neither will countenance thoughts of defeat.

England’s Rugby World Cup campaign came to life today with a commanding 67 points to 3 win over Romania. Elsewhere the hosts New Zealand are through to the last eight after beating France.

Several powerful tremors shook the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Monday, almost four months after an earthquake that killed 181 people.

New Zealand has stood silent to remember the victims of the Christchurch earthquake. A British taskforce has arrived in the country to help identify the dead.

The New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, says the death toll from the Christchurch quake could climb above 200, with at least that figure still missing and 98 already confirmed dead.

93 people have been pulled from the rubble as hopes fade that there will be many survivors from the 226 people still missing.

Dozens of people have been killed by the Christchurch earthquake. One British rescuer, who is going to New Zealand, tells Channel 4 News he is hopeful of finding survivors.