Weather
Masterton leads Sunday heatwave with 33C high
Masterton was the hottest in the land but scorching temperatures were felt throughout the country on Sunday with most of the country in the high 20s.
Warning over flood water, storm debris in Canterbury river
Police are urging the public to stay away from the Waimakariri riverbed following heavy rainfall on the West Coast.
Severe thunderstorm watch for Hawke's Bay, localised downpours possible
Intense bursts of rain could bring surface flooding, hazardous driving conditions and risk of slips, MetService says.
As it happened: Westland's state of emergency lifts as weather conditions ease
Westland's mayor Helen Lash says the region has fared exceptionally well overnight and avoided the worst of the deluge.
Officials warn of fire risk in Canterbury as firefighters remain at scene of two large blazes
Hot, dry and windy weather is expected to hamper firefighters at the scene of the Canterbury blazes.
Recap: No mandatory evacuations in Westland yet, heaviest rain still to come
Westland's mayor says there will be no mandatory evacuations across the district tonight, with officials confident rivers are handling the deluge well.
Westland residents warned to be ready to move at short notice
Westland remains under a red heavy rain alert until 8am Saturday, with another heavy rain band due to hit from 10pm.
What's in store for weather on the North Island this week
Temperatures in the Hutt Valley are expected to rise to 27.
West Coast prepares for up to 700mm of rain
Civil defence, council staff and other agencies are bracing for an incoming deluge.
Franz Joseph locals brace for rain
The townships of Whataroa, Hari Hari and Franz Josef have been heavily affected by the rain which is battering the West Coast.
Franz Josef local, Logan Skinner, is monitoring the river levels… Audio
Heavy rain on the West Coast
Westland District still has a red level rain warning in place, with up to 700 millimetres expected in the ranges and 200 millimetres on the coast.
Emergency management has mobilised staff and… Audio
Emergency management prepared for West Coast rain
A red heavy rain warning is in place for Westland with up to 800 millimetres of rain expected in the ranges and up to 200 millimetres on the coast.
A close watch is also being kept on the Grey… Audio
Heavy rain warnings for the West Coast
Emergency Management on the West Coast has mobilised staff and resources to deal with severe rain that is expected to last until tomorrow.
A red level rain warning for the Westland District remains… Audio
Red rain warning with up to 800mm expected to slam Westland
Already wet parts of the South Island are in for an "incredibly large amount of rainfall". Audio
Heat, wind and rain lash the country
MetService has issued a heat alert for Auckland, triggered by sweltering overnight temperatures.
Further south, heavy rain is expected on the South Island's West Coast, with severe gales forecast for… Audio
Firefighters succeed in containing scrub fire
Firefighters have now contained a four-hectare grass and scrub fire near Lake Benmore in the Upper Waitaki area of Otago.
Deadly fire ants form 'flood rafts' to spread
One of the world's most invasive species is taking advantage of Australia's wild weather.
'Keep an eye on this one': Tropical storm looms in marine heatwave
Meteorologists say there's no sign yet of any risk to New Zealand.
Thunderstorm warnings for North Island
MetService said localised downpours of up to 40mm an hour may affect some areas from 3pm on Monday.
Business owner's lucky escape as waterspout changes direction
A West Coast business owner watched a waterspout tear towards her luxury lodge, only for it to change course and clip the corner of the house instead.
