Weather
'Big concerns': South Wairarapa mayor calls for discussion after storms
South Wairarapa mayor Fran Wilde said it was too soon to discuss the cost of the latest clean-up, but it wasn't too early to talk about the long-term challenges.
Wild weather reaches Canterbury
As many regions move into recovery mode - parts of Canterbury continue to be hit by intense wind and rain. RNZ reporter Anna Sargent spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
'Hoping for the best' Banks Peninsula braces for 100mm of rain
Residents of a Banks Peninsula town - previously cut off after heavy rain - are angry and frustrated, saying opening the nearby lake to the ocean would mitigate flooding.
Wild weather: Wellington winds strongest in a decade
Banks Peninsula is under an orange heavy rain warning, with a further 70 to 100 millimetres of rain predicted.
In pictures: Wellington's flooding, wind damage
Some streets are flooded in Lower Hutt, multiple schools are closed and thousands are without power.
Latest on severe weather
RNZ reporter Krystal Gibbens joins us with the latest information. Audio
Weather: Local farmers clear mudslide which trapped 20 vehicles
A defence force helicopter was called in to assess the situation and possibly rescue people.
FENZ receives hundreds of call outs as severe weather hits
Fire and Emergency dealt with almost 800 callouts between midnight and this afternoon with more than 100 of those calls being for life threatening events or due to serious damage. Fire and Emergency… Audio
Thousands without power across lower North Island
Some homes in Wellington may be without power until the end of the week, with the capital battered by heavy gales and flooding today. The dramatic storm cut power to more than 30,000 properties across… Audio
Thousands without power as weather lashes lower North Island
Thousands of properties are without power throughout Manawatu and Whanganui, as people were evacuated and schools closed for the day. Some have been restored but authorities are warning more wild… Audio
'Long and loud night':Wairarapa residents coming together during floods
The stormy weather lashing the region has caused rivers to burst their banks, inundating roads and cutting off communities.
Weather chaos hits lower North Island as Hutt Valley floods
It has been a day of weather chaos at the bottom of the North Island with thousands of properties still without power. Planes, trains and ferries were also disrupted. Five areas remain under local… Audio
Fences taken out, crop destroyed as floods hammer farmers
Farms along the banks of the Waipā River are most affected, an Ōtorohanga farmer says.
Watermain breakage leaves Lower Hutt streets flooded
The pipe broke underneath Kamahi Street sending thousands of litres of water onto the road.
Campers evacuate overnight after Wainui River burst its banks
The Wainui River burst its banks in the tiny coastal settlement of Herbertville overnight, three years and two days after it last flooded the township.
Winds gust to 240km/h on lower North Island's east coast
Winds in Wellington have topped 190km/h in high parts and about 130km/h in the city.
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 16 February 2026
A storm has ravaged the lower North Island with states of emergency called in Manawatu, Otorohanga, Waipa, Tararua District and Rangitikei.Evacuations are happening now as flooding hits Lower Hutt… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 16 February
This morning we spoke to the Prime Minister after he confirmed Eden Park will host a State of Origin match next year. We also spoke to Sir Graham Lowe about the announcement; The Vaping Industry… Audio
Weather: Air New Zealand update
Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren after the airline cancelled flights out of Wellington, Napier and Palmerston North due to strong winds. Audio
Much of North Island hammered by wind and rain
RNZ reporter Nick James with the latest from Epuni. Audio
