Nine tourists have been stranded by floodwaters on State Highway 1 north of Oamaru after failing to observe warning signs earlier today.

Heavy rain and gales are expected to lash the main islands from tonight, with the MetService warning of one of the "bigger weather events" for some time.

Liz Light explores Nelson's Boulder Bank, visiting the lighthouse and experiencing its natural beauty and local wildlife.

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

The Health and Disability Commissioner has suggested that access to publicly-funded health services depends on where patients live.

Fire is the third attack on an early childhood centre in the Nelson region in a year.

A man in his 40s has been charged with two counts of murder and will appear in the Greymouth District Court tomorrow.

Police name a couple who died in an apparent murder-suicide after shots were fired at a Nelson camping ground yesterday.

A witness reported seeing an armed man enter a caravan before screams and shots were heard.

Blenheim police say a suspected drunk driver who killed another motorist after crashing last night was not being chased.