At least 29 NZers remain trapped in Peru after floods knocked out roads and bridges.

NZ diplomatic staff have made contact with 15 of the 22 Kiwis trapped in Peru's ancient Incan capital Machu Picchu after landslides and heavy floods.

Heavy rain and possibly even thunderstorms are forecast for southern parts of Auckland today.

Mudslides have trapped at least 16 New Zealanders in an area near the Peru Inca trail leading to Machu Picchu, a spokesman for MFAT says.

The family of a New Zealand man, among the hundreds trapped after flash floods in Peru, say he is safe - but a little scared.

See-sawing temperatures characterised New Zealand's weather in 2009, according to Niwa's annual climate summary.

Motorists are being warned to take extra care on the roads as heavy rain and strong winds move up the country.

Extreme weather brings hope of end to decade-long drought.

Parts of the North Island are set for a soaking today, with up to 140mms of rain expected to fall in some areas.

Police and army experts say they're urgently checking the safety of about 1,800 bridges in northern England amid some of the worst storms ever recorded in Britain.

Northland and Auckland could be in for wind gusts of 120km an hour and a small tornado while heavy rains are set to hit further south.

Radio announcer Epati Tamati may have saved hundreds of lives by not budging from his waterfront studio when the Samoan earthquake struck.