Air New Zealand flights to and from London are operating as normal again, after restrictions due to volcanic ash were lifted overnight.

Evacuated families have begun returning to their homes after flooding in the Nelson region during the weekend.

Heavy rainfall has left families isolated in the Tapawera area, south-west of Nelson, with 20 households evacuated so far.

Two children are among the people missing after the land beneath their house gave way, causing it to partially collapse.

Four people were killed in an outbreak of tornadoes in Oklahoma today.

The ash cloud from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokul volcano is still causing havoc for flights across the Atlantic.

Tsunami-wrecked houses in Samoa are being rebuilt on higher ground - but without protection against cyclones or earthquakes, engineers say.

Forecast rain today is expected to raise the Lake Wakatipu level, but not beyond its peak, reassures Queenstown Lakes District Council.

River flow levels and a minimal rain forecast suggest Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu might only rise by a further 10cm.

Queenstown is preparing for the worst as the swollen Lake Wakatipu threatens to burst its banks and flood the CBD.

California geology officials have released an updated seismic activity map that they hope will improve earthquake preparedness.

Northland's drought may be endangering motorists - and stock - as hungry farm animals go wandering for food and water.

Queenstown businesses are being warned to brace for potential flooding as more heavy rain is predicted over the next two days.

The brief respite of rain for Northland farmers yesterday is not enough to quench the parched pastures.

More stranded trampers will be flown out of flooded walking tracks a day after 120 were evacuated from the Milford Track.