Weather

It's looking to be a hotter than usual summer, with above average temperatures very likely across the motu.

The conditions are comparable to November 2017, which NIWA says was the beginning of an "unprecedented marine heatwave".

West Coast Civil Defence has set up an emergency operations centre in Hokitika and will open another in Greymouth this evening.

Motorists in the West Coast are being urged to take care ahead of a deluge of rain expected there this weekend.

The inventor of a model to work out how much the loss of sunlight costs a homeowner says he is confident it accurately shows denser housing is a plus.

Sweltering temperatures in the Hawke's Bay city fall short of being officially declared a heatwave.

Hawke's Bay temperatures over the past few days would be considered unusually warm even in summer, and a forecaster says more is on the way next week. Audio

Hawke's Bay is set to bask in extreme heat this weekend, while other parts of the country are in for heavy downpours.

Four months after one of Marlborough's worst storms cut their road access, residents of Kenepuru Sound are still relying on boats for their supplies and livelihoods.

A heatwave is expected to hit Napier from today, with daytime and overnight highs sitting well above average.

The Gisborne District Council is warning the risk of landslides is far from over, nearly a week after heavy rain caused flooding in the region.

The heavy rain has subsided in Gisborne and the state of emergency has been lifted, but authorities say landslides and slips are causing a second wave of problems.