The homes are between Whangamata and Tairua, areas among the most affected by record-breaking rains.

Relief in sight for waterlogged regions.

The power-packed storm meteorologists have dubbed the "Tasman Tempest" dumped more rain on Auckland than typically falls for the whole of March.

People are being advised to avoid New Lynn due to the risk of unstable buildings.

A helicopter pilot organised an urgent flight for his bride to reach their wedding after she was stranded by flooding.

South Island reporter Kurt Bayer has clinched fourth spot in the New Zealand Gumboot Throwing Championships.

The skies are beginning to clear after last night's storm, but the respite may be short-lived, with thunderstorms and more heavy rain forecast for later today.

An incredible 130mm of rain has fallen in the Coromandel Ranges in the past 24 hours.

Parts of Auckland and other North Island regions are under water and without power as torrential rain causes havoc. There's even more foul weather to come.

A child has head injuries after being hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing in Porirua.

The Bay and Coromandel region has already had a month's worth of rain this week - and another month's worth is about to fall. MetService

Scientists have put a recent spate of Central North Island quakes down to long-term tectonic "stretching" rather than worrying volcanic activity.

Baby Nathan Christensen's arrival coincided with flooding that forced his mum into a helicopter dash.

Ruawai woman says she was incarcerated in a prison of her own making.

A volunteer group advocating for, among other things, fair outcomes in the justice penal system and rehabilitation of prisoners has formed a branch in Northland.

More than 100 lightning bolts have struck Northland in the past half hour.

Thames & Coromandel District Mayor Sandra Goudie discusses the state of the region after wild weather hit overnight. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

An unwell little blue penguin was spotted wandering Hokio Beach.

Weather watches or warning are in place for most of the upper North Island as more rain is forecast over the week.

A woman who prepares Meals-on-Wheels had $30,000 worth of equipment and food stolen.

Spectacular pink sunrise described as a 'foreboding beauty' by MetService forecaster.

The environmentally-fragile dune lake near Tokerau Beach on the Karikari Peninsula has been exposed to oil and lubricants as well as fish and weed pests.

A German tourist is considering leaving the country after thieves stole all his possessions in Tutukaka.

A house fire in Whanganui this afternoon led emergency services to cordon off a street. Barrack St was cordoned off from Somme Parade

It's going to be a wet in the North Island but best get the woollies out if you head down south.

A jury trial for six men over the largest seizure of methamphetamine ever in the country will be April next year.

The New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence must now find a new headquarters for hundreds of staff.

A cold change sweeping up the South Island this afternoon has seen temperatures drop by double digits in 10 minutes.

Kauri Dam near Kaitaia has been leaking for "donkey's years" but it's recently changed.

NZ and US navy officers hone their mine-clearing skills off Northland's coast.