Live updates of Cyclone Pam's impact in New Zealand and the aftermath in devastated Pacific Island nations.

Volunteer Service Abroad said it could still not account for four Kiwi volunteers in Vanuatu.

Dozens are feared dead on Vanuatu and up to 10,000 are homeless in the wake of Cyclone Pam.

Tropical Cyclone Pam is slowly weakening as it approaches NZ, but will still be "a very powerful tropical cyclone" as it passes the country within a few hundred kilometres.

Gisborne Civil Defence says local residents should be prepared for strong winds, large sea surges, coastal erosion, some rain and power loss.

A severe tropical cyclone that's causing destruction to Pacific Islands is edging closer to New Zealand.

Even if the system misses New Zealand, big swells and rough seas could still cause real problems for the fleet.

Residents in parts of New Zealand expected to face Cyclone Pam need to get prepared for the storm.

Severe thunderstorms may hit Dunedin, North Otago and Clutha this afternoon bringing heavy rain and hail as large as 20mm to some areas, MetService warns.

Summer is hitting full force, with temperatures rising above 27C north of Auckland and farmers bracing for drought.

A wet countdown to 2015 is in store for most, with forecasters predicting rain across the country on New Year's Eve.

Around 30 flights were delayed and three were cancelled as fog caused disruption at Auckland Airport this morning.

The country has had the coolest start to summer in almost a decade. Temperatures around the main cities on Monday were well below the median for the past decade.

Blustery winds will continue to whip parts of the country during the last official week of spring, MetService says.

The stormy spring weather will continue over the weekend, with severe winds and rain forecast for parts of the country.

Fears about weather chaos over the North Island have eased this afternoon with the Metservice lifting a dozen severe weather warnings.

Heavy rain over the top of the country during the weekend could cause high river levels, flooding and slips, forecasters warn.

TV One's weather stalwart Jim Hickey will soon have a new colleague in the weather room, as former MetService forecaster Daniel Corbett joins the team.

Snow has fallen to low levels in the South overnight, forcing the closure of many schools and prompting calls for care by motorists.

Gale-force winds are hammering the lower South Island this morning as a front moves over the country, bringing a cold change that is likely to dump snow to sea level.

The hail that painted Auckland white may not be over just yet.

The last month of winter could be more like spring, with warmer, windier weather, forecasters say.

Aucklanders should enjoy the warm weather while it lasts, as today is the MetService's pick of the week before a front arrives.

Enjoy the sunshine while it last as a "large trough" of cold weather is set to move over the country, bringing with it rain and gales.

It could be time to peel off some of the winter layers this week as temperatures look set to rise - even topping 20C in some areas.