Ashburton is preparing for mass evacuations as the river rises and heavy rain continues.

Forecaster says an "atmospheric traffic jam" is helping drive wild weather in Canterbury.

Heathcote River in Chch has broken its banks and next high tide will bring new flooding.

Floodwaters in Canterbury have exceeded warnings "by a huge magnitude", Fed Farmers says.

The matter was expected to come back to council later this week.

Fire crews are still on the scene.

Given the logistics, Chatham Islands residents to get their Covid-19 vaccines in one hit.

Ashburton appeared on a handful of lists of one of the worst town slogans in the country.

Hilsley Short was left anxious and stressed about providing for his family.

Inquest into the death of a mother and her two young children begins.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said they were called to the blaze at about 6.23am.

Maritime NZ says it was lucky nobody died.

Firefighters responded to two house fires in the South Island overnight.

Emergency services called to fire about 11pm.

Good day sunshine? Some towns and cities have enjoyed 50 per cent more sun than others.

"We're very reluctant to let it go," Owner Kevin Stewart said.

A front making its way up the country is expected to peter out as it moves north.

Waka Kotahi NZTA has revealed where the worst traffic hotspots are predicted to be today.

A severe thunderstorm warning has now been issued for Gisborne and Wairoa.

Episode 14 of Herald podcast A Moment In Crime focuses on the death of Lauren Biddle

Report shows farm profitability across Ashburton District expected to decline.

The golden ticket was sold at Melody's New World in Palmerston North.

A Moment In Crime episode 13 looks back at the 1990 Aramoana mass shooting and siege.

Episode 12 of NZME podcast A Moment In Crime looks back at the Ashburton Winz murders.

Temperatures will be up to 12C above average in places - but don't get too comfortable.

Tropical air is set to get temperatures rising, but come Monday it changes drastically.

Rangitata, which takes in Ashburton and Timaru, has gone to Jo Luxton.

Full list: Which schools will get free school lunches?

Full list: Who gets free school lunches in Wellington and the South Island.