Waikato

MetService is warning of more 'intense bursts' of rain, high winds and thunderstorms across much of the country, ahead of a cool change later in the week. Audio

Streams and rivers are rising and flooding has been reported in North Taranaki, Civil Defence says. Audio

A damaged section of State Highway 23 was officially opened today, but traffic will not be able to use it for a few weeks.

One person has died after a crash at a carpark in Hamilton.

MetService has issued gale warnings for the upper-North Island's coastline, with some Northland households without power overnight as heavy rain hits the region.

One person has died after a single-vehicle crash at Ohinewai, north of Hamilton.

Northland has escaped any major problems from the weather so far, but Emergency Management is expecting further downpours this afternoon.

There have been some heavy rainfalls recorded overnight in Northland as a belt of wet and windy weather moves across the upper North Island.

The so-far unbeaten Chiefs have won on home turf 34:24 against defending champions the Crusaders. Read Jamie Wall's play-by-play of the match.

Heavy rain and high winds are expected to reach Northland by 8pm before spreading to Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel by early Sunday.

Emergency services are working at the scene of a serious crash north of Taupō involving a caravan and they warn motorists to expect delays.

Four young people have been arrested over recent ram-raid-style burglaries in the city.

The teacher, who has interim name suppression, briefly appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Thursday morning.

A Waikato iwi has described a sense of healing after it opened the upgraded Rangiriri Pā trenches to public tours this week.

A shot was allegedly fired at a patrol car as two men fled police just after midnight on Anzac Day.

AgResearch is teaming up with regional councils and Rural Contractors New Zealand to collate information on alligator weed in a bid to better understand its spread.

Two men have been arrested after police say shots were fired at officers in Hamilton.

One person has died in a two-vehicle crash on SH3, near Hangatiki, in Waikato this afternoon.

A replacement for a "dangerous" intersection connecting the Waikato and Tauranga has the tick.

Widespread delays are expected across the Wellington Region and Coromandel Peninsula as major highway closures begin this week.