People living near rivers and streams in the Tasman District should be prepared for a rapid rise in water levels overnight, with heavier falls forecast to continue, Civil Defence says.

The Civil Defence is working to stem flooding near the Avon River mouth to the estuary in Christchurch this morning.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are set to batter the Bay of Plenty until tomorrow morning, Metservice warns.

People in northern and eastern areas of the North Island are being advised to take precautions as heavy rains threaten to sweep across those regions tonight and tomorrow, with a possibility of flooding in coastal and low-lying areas.

The national drowning toll for the first two months of the year rose to 35, after 15 drownings in February.

Jill Worrall revisits a childhood haunt that has also inspired authors and film makers.

Police searching for a missing Roxburgh man have found a body in the Clutha River.

Police are warning users of the Whanganui River to beware of a shark that has been spotted in the river.

Grave fears are held for a man believed to have fallen into the Clutha River in central Otago this afternoon.

NZers denied funding after being caught up in the devastating Queensland floods are to be granted a special Govt payout. Many Kiwis had complained of being ineligible for an Australian govt disaster payout due to a 2001 law change.

A large body of water gradually moving towards the northwest Victorian city of Swan Hill has threatened small communities in its path.

The West Coast's Fox River burst its banks today, forcing some residents and bach owners to evacuate, some of them carrying off possessions they wanted to save.

Residents have been evacuated from their homes as torrential rain falls over western Victoria.

Watch livestreaming footage of the flooded Brisbane River, due to peak at 7am New Zealand time.