Weather
Temperatures hit 'heat alert' levels
Parts of the country are facing heats in the 30s on Wednesday, while the Christmas forecast is looking dreary.
Australia correspondent Karen Middleton
Cyclone Jasper has caused the worst flooding in and around Cairns in far north Queensland. Karen Middleton says the Bureau of Meteorology is facing strong criticism for failing to forecast the massive… Audio
Cyclone Gabrielle: First two homeowners accept buyout offers
One agreement will be settled this week, and the other early in the new year, Hastings District Council says.
Walking tracks around Cathedral Cove open for summer
DOC has managed to get new walking tracks around Cathedral Cove open for summer, despite the hike down to the popular Coromandel beach being off the cards, for now. Extreme weather events in January… Audio
How a low-level cyclone caused Cairns' largest flood in more than century
As heavy rain starts to ease and flood evacuations continue, locals are wondering how a relatively low category cyclone turned into such chaos.
Christmas weather looking dicey, hot day ahead
Fine weather is expected for the majority of the country on Tuesday, with isolated showers might hit Auckland.
Cairns airport underwater as heavy rain hits Queensland's far north
Cairns airport is underwater as heavy rain continues to lash Queensland's far north. The remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper have caused widespread destruction. The main roads into Cairns were… Audio
'Rain non-stop for six days': Kiwi in Cairns describes planes underwater, floating livestock
A New Zealander who has lived in Cairns for 30 years has never seen flood waters as high as they are currently in far north Queensland.
Rain may put damper on Christmas Day celebrations, MetService says
Rain could spoil some people's Christmas plans, with wet weather possible for several parts of the motu next Monday. Audio
MetService looks ahead at Christmas weather
High temperatures mixed with severe weather warnings left some high and dry over the weekend while others ducked for cover.
Kaikoura airport hit 32 degrees Celsius at 3pm yesterday, while Timaru… Audio
Australian city cut off by floodwaters, towns evacuated and drinking water at risk
Cairns is now an island in Far North Queensland, with roads blocked to the north, south and west as it endures the worst flooding in more than 100 years.
Thunderstorm warning for Christchurch lifted
A severe thunderstorm warning in place for Christchurch for Sunday evening has now been lifted.
Summer heat arrives, with temperatures hitting 30s
Summer has started to heat up, with several places reaching the 30s on Sunday - and what's the Christmas forecast starting to look like?
Otago fire restrictions tighten as risk shoots up
The fire danger has gone up steeply in Otago, prompting tighter fire season restrictions.
Thousands evacuate in north Queensland as flooding spreads
Australian authorities on Sunday ordered thousands of people in the north of Queensland state to move to higher ground because of the danger of flooding sparked by torrential rain.
Heavy rain floods roads in Buller District
Drivers are being warned to take extra care travelling on roads in the Buller District due to flooding.
Rain watch in place for West Coast, lower North Island
There are heavy rain watches in effect for parts of the West Coast and lower North Island overnight into Sunday.
Australia swelters through heat wave as firefighters battle bushfires
Large parts of Australia on Saturday sweltered under heat wave conditions that prompted the nation's weather forecaster to issue bush fire warnings in several states.
Heavy rain warning for Buller, Westland - MetService
Up to 120-160 mm of rain is expected, and thunderstorms are possible.
Rain, possible thunderstorms over the weekend
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for parts of the South Island.
