Weather
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
The silver lining amongst devastation, damage and disarray
Colin Payne's Ōtorohanga home was inundated by floodwaters at the weekend, but a saved pet goat and heirloom teddy bear is keeping his spirits up. Audio
Weather: Latest update from Makirikiri Marae in Dannevirke
Large parts of the North Island have endured a wild weather night, with very strong winds knocking out power to thousands of homes. In Dannevirke, the Makirikiri Marae has been supporting residents… Audio
Heavy rain and strong winds expected overnight
More warnings have been issued for heavy rain overnight, with multiple districts now in a state of emergency.
Wellington flights cancelled, hundreds without power
All regional flights in and out of Wellington are cancelled while locals are warned to stay off south coast beaches amid severe southerly winds and heavy rain.
State of emergency declared for Tararua District ahead of wild weather
MetService has issued multiple orange heavy rain and strong wind warnings from Sunday morning through to Monday evening.
'Never seen anything like' weather that hit Waipā - Waikato man
Ryan Vickers says he had never seen damage like the scenes on his parent's Waipā farm following Friday's intense rain.
Concerns weather could push raw sewage towards Wellington's shoreline
Wellington Water is concerned that the weather could increase the likelihood of raw sewage being pushed towards the shoreline.
Ōtorohanga mum helped sound the alarm of neighbourhood flooding
Trish Osterman said the rain had eased on Friday night when she went to bed, and she didn't expect that things would pick up again in the morning.
