Weather
Latest MetService weather warnings, watches in detail
Heavy rain, downpours and severe gales will continue for many areas into tomorrow.
Wild weather in pictures: North Island reels under torrential rain, flooding
From Northland to Gisborne, communities are scrambling to keep themselves and their possessions safe against the weather.
Search for driver washed away trying to cross river stood down
Whitewater rafts have been searching a section of the Mahurangi River.
Special Broadcast: severe weather update for 21 January 2026
An RNZ special on the unfolding weather event in the North Island, presented by Ingrid Hipkiss. Red heavy rain warnings are in place for Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne from Tologa… Audio
Gisborne region prepares for incoming deluge
Up to 350mm of rain is expected to fall north of Tolaga Bay overnight.
What to do during a flood
Floods and flash floods can happen quickly, this is what you need to know to be prepared.
'Community of carers': Neighbours pluck 94yo man from Tairua flooding
Debbie Gray's social media plea to help her father brought out the best in the local community.
Women saved from 'eye-level water' in dramatic kayak rescue
A woman rescued by kayak from the deck of her home says she has never seen flooding like it.
Midday Report special broadcast: Severe weather update
A special weather broadcast as parts of the North Island are slammed by severe weather. Guyon Espiner crosses to RNZ reporters in Northland and Coromandel, both of which are under red rain warnings… Audio
Northland weather update
We cross to Northland where orange weather warnings are in place. Audio
Southland dry spell sparks water level monitoring
Southland's regional council is ramping up monitoring of water levels as the region dries out and river levels lower.
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 21 January
Heavy rain and strong winds continue to hit the upper North Island; Auckland Transport has plans to purchase three new diesel vessels as electric ferry trials continue; Research has linked childhood… Audio
Waioeka Gorge closed for next month after airlift operation
Up to 40 slips blocked 60 kilometres of the state highway after the area received double its average January rainfall.
Whangarei residents urged to stock up on supplies
Whangarei residents in the hard-hit northeast coast are being urged to stock up on supplies and have emergency plans ready. Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Jenny Calder… Audio
More rain hits already flood-ravaged Northland
Heavy rain and strong winds continue to hit the upper North Island Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Lauren Crimp. Audio
Civil Defence 'ready to respond', Whangārei mayor says
A precautionary state of emergency is already declared for the Whangārei District as large areas of the country brace for more bad weather on Wednesday.
Dozens of trapped campers return home after hiking over massive slip
The torrential rain sent floodwaters pouring through the Whangaruru campground and triggered a 50-metre-wide slip across the only access road.
'It's bad': Whangārei mayor visits areas worst hit by deluge
Homes have been declared dangerous and new slips are dashing hopes of fixing a bridge amid warnings around the North Island.
Settlement hit by month of rain during weekend weather bomb
It recorded over 285.5mm of rain over the weekend.
NZ agencies eye largest solar storm in 20 years
"Solar weather" doesn't pose a threat to human health - but it does to our technology.
