Northland

NZTA is warning motorists there are no alternative routes for the two road closures, as surface flooding hits Dargaville.

James Cross - Northland identity and co-star of one of New Zealand's most successful documentary movies of all time - has died aged 68.

NZTA Waka Kotahi warned flooding and slips are possible on much of State Highway 1.

MetService says there is still a risk of thunderstorms in the upper North Island too. Audio

An unstable weather system prone to producing thunderstorms is moving down the North Island and heading to parts of the South Island. Video

MetService's weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Kaitaia, the Maungataniwha Range and Victoria Valley on Sunday morning.

The storm ripped the roof right off Taipā Sailing Club.

A yellow heavy rain watch is in effect for Northland into the weekend, as a slow moving active front lies close to the upper North Island.

A Whangārei hapū is celebrating the end of a controversial development on land they consider tapu, or sacred after the developer dropped their appeal.

A replacement for State Highway 1 over Northland's Brynderwyn Hills will be built just to the east of the current road - a major change from the original plan.

A person has died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Mangakino this afternoon.

The same man is alleged to have broken a window for the fifth time in 12 months, police say.

Heavy rain has continued to pelt central New Zealand, as the holiday weekend comes to a close.

Isey Cross, of Kawakawa, celebrated her 106th birthday on Saturday night with a party at Bay of Islands Yacht Club in Waitangi.

Local kaitiaki Arana Rewha estimated locals removed 300 tonnes of exotic caulerpa on Friday, first with buckets and barrows, and later with a digger.

Kelly Stratford's comments come as thousands of Northlanders are without mobile phones, broadband and or power due to ex Tropical Cyclone Tam.

Someone has stolen Russel Blank's foot and he is, to put it mildly, "a bit pissed off about it".

When Anthony Harrison said linseed oil caused a fire that destroyed his workshed, a judge said his story was not believable.

Northland Police are investigating after a man was found dead in a carpark in Kawakawa on Sunday morning.

A couple dedicated to serving the vulnerable had their lives shattered on what was meant to be the start of a joyful family holiday.