UBNZ Funds Management has pulled out of the running to purchase the Crafar farms, after it its bid failed the 'good character test'.

Alex Binns turns 70 on Wednesday but instead of celebrating, his family are pleading for help to find him.

The MetService's severe weather warning for most of the North Island remains in place today, and Bay of Plenty civil defence emergency workers are on standby after heavy rain pelted the region overnight.

Roads and vehicles must be "more forgiving" to curb a road toll which averages more than one death a day, the AA says. Figures released by the Ministry of Transport today show 371 people died on the roads over the past year.