Weather
Dry weather forces 6-week wait for Waiheke Island water delivery
A desperately dry Christmas is in store for some Waiheke Islanders with fresh water unable to be delivered to many homes for at least the next six weeks.
December weather: who gets the rain
The summer heatwave is about to change, giving way to a smattering of rain and thunderstorms - and there's more to come before Christmas. Audio
High winds may bolster flames in Californian blaze
A raging California wildfire has become the state's third-largest on record, with more devastation possible from a resurgence of the harsh winds that have fueled the deadly blaze since the beginning… Audio
Beaches packed in scorching December weather
The hotter than usual December weather has seen swimmers flocking to beaches up and down New Zealand, and that's meant an early start to the summer too for the country's surf lifesavers. Yesterday a… Audio
Weather: Will there be relief from summer scorcher?
It's been a summer sorcher for most of New Zealand with temperatures soaring throughout the country. Water levels have dropped significantly across the country and Tauranga is the latest city to… Audio
Sunshine hours battle too close to call
The annual sunshine hours competition is hotting up with Blenheim just one hour ahead of newcomer Richmond in what looks to be a photo finish.
Downside to NZ's sunshine capital is drought
The top of the South Island is getting ready to seize the Sunshine Trophy for clocking up the most sunshine hours in the country again this year, but it comes with a price. Audio
'A smile on my face' as Canterbury farmer sees rain
The rain has finally fallen in the south. This week Christchurch got its first drop of rain after 46 straight days of sun. But for farmers further south was it enough? Greg Anderson runs sheep and… Audio
Heavy rain deluge hits Timaru
Heavy rainfall has drenched Timaru, with more than three times as much rain falling in the past 24 hours as the town got in the entire month of November.
Popular NZ swim spots out of action for summer
Health warnings are already in place for several popular swim spots around the country, with more likely to be out of action as the hot weather continues. Video
How freaky is this weather?
MetService forecaster Erick Brenstrum is in the studio with Byran with the facts and the figures on this unseasonal weather and what we might expect over the coming months. Audio
Beaches, lakes, rivers closed due to toxic algae, wastewater
Swimming spots across the country have been closed ahead of summer for a variety of reasons. NIWA's chief freshwater scientist John Quinn says people should check water quality before diving in. Audio
The big dry: 47 days without rain in Christchurch
Many parts of the country have gone without rain now for weeks.
Hot weather bad omen for winter power supply - scientist
A climate expert is warning a downside to the brilliant early-summer weather is the effect it could have next year on electricity supply.
Power companies keep anxious eye on dry weather
Electricity companies are becoming anxious about the weather. Weeks of blue skies are leaving water levels in their hydro dams sinking at a time of the year when they should be rising. Eric Frykberg… Audio
Christchurch's long dry spell expected to end
The longest dry spell in Christchurch since records began is forecast to end today. Yesterday was the 46th straight day without rain in the city - eclipsing the record of 45 days that had stood since… Audio
Scrub fire in Otago as big dry continues
Dozens of fire fighters have contained a 200ha scrub fire in central Otago, as dry weather continues around the country.
Mountains of mud to be moved after settlement
A Dunedin man who has lived with mountains of mud on his property since a deluge in July has reached a settlement with EQC and can now move forward.
Auckland tank water supplies running low
Tank water suppliers in Auckland say the summer rush has begun a month early, with people already running out.
Fatigued farmers brace for possible drought
Hot, dry conditions in North Canterbury are making farmers nervous that another drought is looming.
