Residents have been told to evacuate immediately as a new fire spreads rapidly in the Tasman region.

The new fire near the Moutere Highway is north of Pigeon Valley where huge wildfires began three weeks ago.

Earlier today, Mayor Richard Kempthorne confirmed a decision has been made to allow the state of emergency to expire.

Pictures posted on social media show a section of forest engulfed in large flames right next to the highway.

Also today, a new funding package for gifted children, details of a police shootout in Christchurch, and the whanau of three workers killed in a horror truck accident in Matata prepare for the tangi.