Tropical systems Vania and Zelia will merge as they head for New Zealand from different directions.

We are more familiar with El Nino, but La Nina cycles have left an imprint in Australia and NZ too.

New Zealand could face strong winds and rain from a tropical cyclone battering the Pacific Islands with winds of up to 225km/hr.

Major South Island roads remain closed by flooding after a storm that swept through New Zealand yesterday.

A major storm has swept right through the country, leaving warm, summer temperatures for the rest of the week.

Motorists are being warned to drive to the conditions as heavy rain and strong winds lash NZ today, bringing down trees and powerlines. Hurricane-force winds have been recorded in Wellington and flooding has hit Marlborough.

Motorists are being warned to drive to the conditions as heavy rain and strong winds lash NZ today, bringing down trees and powerlines. Flooding has closed some roads and trampers and campers are being told to prepare for evacuation.

Much of the country is in for a weather shock today as a big front moves north, bringing heavy rain and gales.

Campers are being warned rivers could rise rapidly as a moist northwesterly flow sweeps across the country today and tomorrow.

Aucklanders will be needing parasols instead of rain umbrellas on Christmas and Boxing Day because long fine spells are forecast.

Rainfall over the past few days has made a Waikato farmer's "wishes come true", but he warns its effect will not be immediate.

Forecasters are predicting we'll be using our brollies for sunshades by Christmas Day.

David Carter has declared a drought in the Waikato and Ruapehu District, saying recent rainfalls appear to have had little effect on dry pastures.

Muggy, sticky, humid heat - for most Aucklanders yesterday the city would have felt like being trapped in a Turkish bath.