Weather

Bad weather threatens to spoil the show, but here's how to watch the spectacle if clouds stay away.

More wet weather is on the way for the top of the South Island, a region still recovering from recent storms. Audio

A front is expected to move east across the country from Monday, bringing heavy rain and strong north-to-northeast winds.

Most of the country can look forward to a fine weekend, but more unsettled weather is forecast for next week. Video

Icy conditions have caused multiple crashes and suspended some trains in the capital.

Tasman mayor Tim King has already met with Civil Defence officials to discuss next week's forecast.

Sub-zero temperatures in southern parts of the country are a reminder to take care on the roads, Fire and Emergency said on Thursday.

Primary and intermediate schools are starting late because there's a heavy frost and black ice around the city. Audio

The toll could rise, say officials, with 12 people still unaccounted for after five days of heavy rain.

Health NZ was unable to confirm the number of cases or if they were linked to flood contamination.

But news that a rain radar for the top of the South Island will be funded by MetService has been welcomed.

One volunteer said she went to the Motueka Recreation Centre on Saturday and was surprised to see hardly anyone was there.

As a second weather bomb lashed the Tasman region, Cosmo Kentish-Barnes was on the ground with rural residents staring down the barrel of another deluge.

The existing contract with MetService was being amended to immediately begin the procurement of a new radar for the rain-hit region.

Marguerite Besier and Roger Croft had to be rescued from their caravan by a frontend loader.