This video shows the commissioning of the Wellington Police Maritime Unit's rescue and patrol launch Lady Elizabeth IV.

Alcohol fuelled violence on the roads, in homes and other public places will be given extra attention this Friday night as part of Operation Unite - a combined New Zealand and Australia Police safe

A state of emergency remains in Canterbury today as aftershocks as large as magnitude 5.4 continued to rumble through the region.

Police staff whose homes were affected by the Christchurch quake were turning up to work to help others, says Inspector John Price.