Summer has ground to a spectacular halt in a number of regions over the past week - is it going to get even worse?

A short-sharp barrage of rain and hail pummelled Invercargill today leaving the city looking like a scene from mid-winter.

Film-maker Roger Donaldson has compiled a photographic scrapbook of Kiwi codger Burt Munro - and has his eyes on a biopic of Ed Hillary.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt has lost his bid to sack Deputy Mayor Neil Boniface.