Weather
Risk of thunderstorms 'bubbling' up as rain moves across the country
It comes as heavy rain watches are in place for Mount Taranaki, Tasman and the ranges of Westland.
Wairoa Mayor on cyclone relief funding grants
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little talks to Lisa Owen about cyclone relief funding for businesses.
Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson declined to be interviewed about the fund, but in a statment says… Video, Audio
Huge number of businesses vying for $50m cyclone relief fund
There is a big queue for help from the government's cyclone business recovery fund.
Checkpoint can reveal the $50 million relief package is massively over-subscribed in Hawke's Bay alone, leaving… Video, Audio
Auckland floods: Report into officials' response more than three weeks overdue
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he is keen to receive the review's findings and the hold-up is due to some individuals - not in his office - asking for more time.
Tourists encouraged to come back to Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay was one of the most affected areas when Cyclone Gabrielle arrived in February. Hawke's Bay Tourism Chief Executive Hamish Saxton talks to Jesse about how visitors can help the region… Audio
Warning over property investors snapping up flood-hit homes
Property experts are warning owners of flood-damaged homes in Hawke's Bay to take care when dealing with investment companies wanting to snap up their houses.
A property investment company is… Audio
Sunspot sends solar wind towards Earth
A huge sunspot has unleashed a blast of solar wind racing toward Earth at nearly 3-million-kilometres an hour.
It's expected to hit the atmosphere tonight, sparking more spectacular aurora.
… Audio
Wintry weather: 10-metre sea swells, plummeting temperatures
Ten-metre sea swells buffeted Wellington's coast and temperatures dropped to single figures in Northland and Auckland as the wintry weather continued to bite. Audio
Dismal kūmara harvest cutting back work in Kaipara
Kūmara packers have had their working hours slashed because this year's crop was ravaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Pack house bosses say they are doing their best to keep staff on for next year's season.
…'A catastrophic drop': Kūmara businesses cling to staff despite massive crop loss
Kūmara packers have had working hours slashed after crops were ravaged by Cyclone Gabrielle - but bosses are doing their best to keep staff on for next season.
Auckland, Northland see record low temperatures for March
Temperatures plummeted to record lows for March in Auckland and Northland overnight.
While further south, strong winds are expected to buffet the east coast between the Mahia Peninsula and Kaikōura… Audio
Power cuts avoided after residents heed call to conserve electricity
Power cuts have been avoided in the South Island after residents heeded calls to reduce their electricity usage.
Tokomaru Bay reconnected to Gisborne with bypass road
The 2.2km route, named Pourau Road, provides a way around State Highway 35's busted Hikuwai No.1 Bridge.
Red Cross provides $1m in cyclone aid for Wairoa residents
The Red Cross is allocating over $1 million of donated funds to the repair of yellow-stickered homes in Wairoa.
'Managed retreat is the only option': Stressed residents say homes are unlivable
Hundreds of West Auckland residents have launched a petition calling for a government-funded managed retreat programme. Audio
First heavy snow watch of the year in place for Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago
The first heavy snow watch for the year is in effect for Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago.
MetService says snow could fall as low as 500-metres above sea level from midnight this morning until… Audio
Cold blast to see temperatures near freezing later this week
Snow will fall as low as 400 metres above sea level in parts of Te Waipounamu
Overseas managed retreat experts weigh in on NZ's situation
Overseas managed retreat experts say residents most devastated by recent extreme storms must get a seat at the decision-making table about possible red zones.
The Government, the Cyclone Taskforce… Audio
Drilling rigs in place to deal with massive slip on SH25A in Coromandel
Waka Kotahi says two drilling rigs are in place to investigate a massive slip on SH25A on the Coromandel Peninsula.
'Extreme' summer has southern farmers feeling ignored
Recent rainfall has alleviated drought concerns in Otago and Southland, but it's been another tough summer.
