Weather

Australia's southeast on Sunday sweltered in a heat wave that raised the risk of bushfires and led authorities to issue fire bans for large swathes of New South Wales state.

Vegetable growers are gearing up for months of warmer, drier weather.

More than a 100 homes remain without power in the Far North after thunderstorms swept through yesterday.

Tighter standards to combat forestry slash by targeting new plantings are poised to get a final sign-off.

Rural communities in Hawke's Bay will soon be better prepared for disasters thanks to new facilities designed to help them cope when they become isolated.

MetService has lifted a red severe thunderstorm warning for Northland, but a storm watch is still in place over the wider Northland and Auckland regions.

Snow warnings have been issued for roads, winds could reach gale force for much of the country and some Cook Strait ferries have been cancelled for a second time this week.

NIWA says the weather pattern - which usually causes dryness in the east and more rain in the west - is likely to continue over summer.

A strong wind watch is in place for the South Island's main divide, with winds set to pick up in Northland and Auckland from Saturday.

Apprentice builders in Wairoa are earning their qualifications by repairing flood-damaged homes.

It could take a week-and-a-half to fix a blocked sewer main at the bottom of a huge sinkhole, Watercare warns.

People with homes damaged by the summer storms face yet another obstacle as they learn their trust-owned properties disqualify them from accessing support. Audio

Yellow stickers attached to the front of unoccupied cyclone-damaged homes in Te Tai Rāwhiti have been mysteriously disappearing.

Gisborne has issued a flood warning for the Waipaoa River near the settlement of Te Karaka.

Two return convoys have managed to get through Haast Pass today as Waka Kotahi opened a single lane on the vital storm damaged route along State Highway 6.