Weather

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is attending the vigil as the community does what it can to support the families of those with missing loved ones.

Almost 4000 flights were cancelled ahead of a monster winter storm that has already cut power to thousands as far west as Texas, and threatened to paralyse eastern states with heavy snowfall.

Evacuations are underway on the East Coast in Onepoto and parts of Te Araroa due to landslide risks.

Temporary repairs to a washed-out bridge on Northland's east coast have restored road access to an area largely cut off from the outside world since last Sunday.

A body has been recovered from the Mahurangi River, police say, after a man was swept away in a car on Wednesday.

Analysis: Much of the risk is invisible, accumulating quietly beneath the surface until a sudden collapse occurs, writes geologist Martin Brook.

Sharon Maccanico is missing following the slip, as her relatives hope for a miracle.

Experts warn that heatwave conditions are building up across large parts of Queensland, with some temperatures expected to reach the mid-40s.

Tauranga City Council has ordered an independent review into events leading up to the Mauao landslide, as Ngāi Te Rangi call for a full investigation into what caused it.

Punaruku's Ōtetao Reti Marae led the response to last week's storm, providing shelter, food and power to a community cut off by flooding and slips.

Two people have been confirmed dead in a landslide in Pāpāmoa, while search and rescue continue to search for six missing people at a Mt Maunganui campsite.

Six people are still unaccounted for 18 hours on, and an independent review has been announced to probe the hours leading up to the disaster.

Local iwi representatives gathered at the base of Mt Maunganui on Friday night, joined by the families of the missing, to hold a karakia service.

Emergency crews spent the day scouring the Mahurangi River north of Auckland for any signs of the man.

Georgina Taiapa said two feet of deep silt, water and debris surrounded the motel after a large slip crashed into the property. Audio

RNZ understands the two people who died after a landslide engulfed a house on Welcome Bay Road are a grandmother and a grandchild.

Police say six people are missing at Mount Maunganui after Thursday's landslip at a campsite, while they are seeking further information on three others.

MetService warns strong winds could topple trees on sodden ground. Audio

The Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman insurers will prioritise the most urgent cases first.