A severe weather warning has been issued for the South Island after gales battered Wellington today.

A Gisborne man left without crucial medicine when his luggage went missing on a Pacific Blue flight says he owes his life to rival airline Air NZ.

A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of his cousin, who died from a brain abscess after he hit him on the head with a bottle.

The official warning over a tsunami that threatened the entire east coast of New Zealand today has been downgraded to an advisory, but there is still a threat from ocean surges.

Tsunami warnings look to be cancelled as beach-goers who waited all day outside the water start heading home.

Civil Defence authorities have downgraded the tsunami warning for New Zealand. However, New Zealand authorities are warning that there could be surges for up to 24 hours.

Paua fishermen are diving back into the seas and surfers are out to catch waves even as tsunami warnings stay in place.

New Zealand east coastal areas aren't out of the woods yet, with Civil Defence authorities and scientists electing keep the tsunami warning in place.

Auckland's ferries have been cancelled and boaties warned to head for deep water as New Zealand faces a possible tsunami.