Weather
Napier risks running out of water
Napier's only been without rain for a week but could run out of water very soon if water restrictions are ignored and temperatures rise. RNZ's Charlie Dreaver is there and describes the situation to… Audio
Water limits across regions as temperatures soar
As temperatures soar around the country, some regions' water levels are being hit harder than others. It's been almost a month since Palmerston North, Masterton and Levin had more than 1mm of rain… Audio
Water turns black as Napier wrestles with severe shortage
Napier's having a water crisis and to make matters worse, some residents turned on taps yesterday to find them flowing with water that was thick and black. A hot spell has left the city's reservoirs… Audio
Hot, dry conditions prompt water restrictions
Super dry conditions across the country have sparked calls for greater water conservation efforts, as the summer continues to heat up.
Otago rivers drop below minimum flow, stopping irrigation
Irrigation permits for the Taieri River have been shutdown, meanwhile restrictions have also begun on the Pomahaka and Kakanui rivers as they drop towards their minimums. Audio
Farmers worried early summer highs could spell drought
The mercury topped 30 degrees in some parts of the country, with highs of 31 in Alexandra and Clyde, and with temperatures this warm at the start of the summer, feed stocks could disappear quickly. Video, Audio
Napier told to conserve water with reservoirs critical
Residents have been warned the city could run out of water as soon as tonight if strict water restrictions aren't adhered to. Reservoirs are at a critical level after sizzling temperatures around the… Video, Audio
Sizzling hot weather here to stay
Hot weather is continuing to blanket the country today, with temperatures of more than 30 degrees in some areas.
Dogs and thunder
There's been a week of thunderstorms with around 40,000 lightning strikes, 11,000 on Tuesday alone. Animal control workers had to return many dog to their anxious owners after they bolted. Social… Audio
Evacuation alert in Victoria as downpours continue
Flooding in Victoria has prompted more than 1500 calls for help to emergency services, as forecasters warn the worst of the deluge is yet to come.
Forecast three-day deluge starts
Residents of Melbourne and many parts of Victoria have been told to brace for a deluge overnight.
Apricots in November for first time in 100 years
Checkpoint - It's so hot in Central Otago some orchardists are already picking fruit - and hoping for a bumper harvest. Audio
'Fruit Bowl of the South' smashes Spring heat records
The central Otago township of Cromwell has seen Spring heat records smashed, with the rising mercury ripening apricots so early they've been harvested from one orchard in November, for the first time.
…Driest November in more than 100 years for parts of Canterbury
The Christchurch airport weather station, which has been running since 1864, only recorded 1.4 millimetres of rain in November.
Fears rising of a summer drought
The risk of drought is rising. While winter and early spring brought a deluge of rain, saturated soils are now drying out fast. That's raised fears that the spreading dry conditions could dent… Audio
It's going to be a hot one - Niwa
Sticky, hot weather is on the cards this summer - which means more people will be flocking to the beach.
Hot, muggy summer predicted across the country
A hot, sticky summer's on the cards, according to the latest long term forecast from NIWA. It'll be hotter than average - but wetter too. Audio
On any other day
An emergency signal sparks a desperate search for a missing air force helicopter. Produced by Justin Gregory. Audio
Dusty Roxburgh preparing for another deluge
The Central Otago town is racing to clear up from Sunday's flash flood, which covered its northern end in mud and water. Video, Audio
Heavy thunderstorms to batter North Island
Inland parts of the country will be hit by heavy thunderstorms today, with a severe storm watch in place across much of the North Island.
