Weather

Fewer than 50 properties in Southland and 67 properties in South Otago remain without power after last month's devastating winds.

"It's going to be unusually warm. We're probably going to get a period of pretty wet weather," scientists say. Audio

Just over 200 people in the Clutha District remained without power as of Tuesday afternoon.

PowerNet says some customers have not had electricity for 13 days.

The severe winds caused widespread damage and thousands of power outages, downing trees, power lines and tearing roofs off buildings.

PowerNet chief executive Paul Blue said it was important for people living in remote areas to contact the company.

Around 2200 customers are still without power following a freak storm on 23 October.

A number of tracks in the South Island are damaged or at risk from avalanches.

However, Southland and Clutha still remain in a state of emergency.

One homeowner is renting elsewhere and paying a mortgage on a house she hasn't lived in for two years. Audio

Residents are adapting to using gas bottles, generators and car headlights for cooking, heating and lighting. Audio

Explainer - Weather forecasters say the last couple weeks haven't been normal, "even by spring's standards". But why? Audio

North Canterbury is back on its feet just in time for one of its biggest weekends of the year, the Hurunui Garden Festival.

One week since a wind storm tore through the country's south, some Clutha district farmers say the financial hit could be harsher than they originally feared.

Four community meetings were held on Wednesday in some of the worst-hit areas, where authorities urged residents to be patient and take care during the cleanup. Audio

Recovery and repair costs are already in the millions as claims climb.