An epidemic of methamphetamine is ripping communities apart - but the fightback has begun.

When John Clarke hits the pavement to train for the ASB Marathon and his muscles begin to burn he feels grateful - the pain means he's still here to feel it.

A man has died after the car he was in became stuck trying to cross a flooded Northland creek.

Five people dead in road crashes in the last 24 hours and several others seriously injured.