Weather

Wellington contractors are today assessing the sites where landslides caused two state highways to close yesterday. Audio

New Zealand's slide into summery weather is likely to be somewhat "disjointed", with an upcoming fine spell sitting amid an otherwise messy forecast for December.

Two Wellington highways blocked by slips caused by heavy rain have now reopened and the Auckland Santa Parade went ahead despite the rain.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms in parts of the North Island overnight have brought down slips and closed a highway - and the stormy weather is set to continue . Audio

It caused 10 cubic kilometres - the equivalent of 2.6 million Olympic-sized swimming pools - of seafloor to be displaced and destroyed the ecosystems around the volcano. Video

The country is in for another battering with MetService warning of more wild weather.

A man who saw a tornado pass close to his home this morning says it's never something you get used to.

Much of the North Island can expect thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon, with some becoming severe, MetService says.

A plan to build nearly 700 homes on a Napier flood plain is being attacked by a local councillor as making no sense.

A new report on the capital's changing climate forecasts increasing temperatures, strong winds and intense rain around the region.

Scores of people have been rescued and searches are under way for two feared missing in floodwaters, while volunteers from countries including New Zealand are arriving to help.

Emergency services have carried out more than 100 rooftop rescues in the flood-hit New South Wales town of Eugowra, after flash flooding swept across parts of the state and Victoria.

Many residents along the East Coast voluntarily evacuated after more than 185 millimetres of rain fell north of Tolaga Bay.

Rain and flooding is easing sooner than expected in Tairāwhiti, but some communities are cut off.