Weather
Treacherous central Otago track notoriously dangerous
Central Otago roading engineers say the four wheel drive group was taking a huge risk tackling a treacherous track so close to winter. Audio
Family members of 4WD group wait on rescue
Relatives of the 38 people trapped overnight in a snowstorm are waiting for their family members to be rescued. Peter Newport reports. Audio
38 people trapped in snowstorm overnight
38 people, including at least two children, have been trapped overnight in a snowstorm after driving in convoy on a remote off-road track in Central Otago. Police and emergency services have been… Video, Audio
Update on attempts to rescue group of drivers stranded in snow
Rescuers have been struggling to reach a group of people trapped in their four wheel drives in the old man range in remote central Otago. The group of 36 people, including children from two… Audio
Ambulances on standby as mountain rescue gets underway
Back now to the people who're stuck in the snow in their four-wheel-drives on a remote Otago mountain road. Audio
36 people trapped in vehicles on snowed-in Otago mountain road
A group of 36 four-wheel-drive enthusiasts have spent the night stuck in snow on a remote Central Otago mountain road after severe weather prevented rescue attempts. Audio
Power off to 600 Far North homes
About 600 people are without power in the Far North tonight as strong winds tear through the region.
Flooding in Hokitika after heavy rain
Heavy rain has fallen across the West Coast this afternoon causing flooding in Hokitika. Andy Thompson from Westland Civil Defence joins Checkpoint. Audio
April breaks global temperature record
April was the seventh month in a row to break global temperature records, NASA figures show.
North Island hit by wild weather
Thunderstorms have brought down trees and arced power lines in the upper North Island.
Get ready to dig out the winter woollies
The balmy autumn is about to come to a sudden halt, with wild weather and a steep drop in temperatures.
Chch sports fields too dry for rugby
Hard, dry playing fields are too unsafe to play rugby on, with the Canterbury Rugby Union moving 50 games this weekend.
Driver killed after head-on collision
State Highway 1 in Dome Valley north of Auckland has reopened after a fatal crash forced it to close earlier today.
Stormy weather sweeps up the country
Strong winds that have cut power and downed trees in the lower half of the country are due to ease but gales are expected in Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay.
Roads out power cut in Wellington/Canterbury.
Strong wind and rain has battered the lower half of the country overnight with little relief in sight until at least lunchtime. Audio
Weather - batten down the hatches
The message from the MetService is to batten down the hatches as wild weather bears down. Audio
Here comes the rain and wind...
The West Coast is bracing for more thunderstorms, while strong, possibly damaging winds, are forecast to lash Christchurch, Marlborough and Wellington. Video
Rain, thunder and tornado warning for West Coast
Severe weather on the West Coast has forced road closures and prompted warnings of possible thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Total fire ban announced in Selwyn
Selwyn District Council has declared a prohibited fire season with effect from today.
Flood clean up in Porirua
Porirua is continuing to clean up this morning after heavy rain yesterday caused flooding and widespread damage. Audio
