Rain eased in Gisborne overnight and surrounding roads reopened after flooding and slips caused evacuations.

The residents of Mangatuna village, north of Tolaga Bay, were moved out this morning as the Uawa River rose from its usual four metres to 11 metres.

An American woman dies after becoming pinned under a rock when a family rafting trip on the Mohaka River turned to tragedy yesterday.

The Government is keeping close watch on the "big dry" in many regions and will consider drought assistance if conditions worsen, Agriculture Minister David Carter says.

Dave Cade is pushing hard to keep didymo - or rock snot - out of Taupo waterways.

Three people had a lucky escape from the Waikato River after hydro dam gates opened a torrent of water onto them.

The Government's shake up of the electricity sector could be the last chance the competitive pricing model has, says Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin.

Rare giant kokopu, which in their infancy make up part of the group known as whitebait, are to be reintroduced to Auckland waterways.

Parts of the North Island are set for a soaking today, with up to 140mms of rain expected to fall in some areas.

Northland and Auckland could be in for wind gusts of 120km an hour and a small tornado while heavy rains are set to hit further south.