Mop-ups under way already but torrential rain continues to fall.

Lifelong Waikuku resident Andrew Gale takes the Herald through his flooded property where water has breached his garage and sleepout. Video / Kurt Bayer

Dozens of schools are closed and residents are on standby as heavy rain continues to fall.

Floodwaters in Canterbury have exceeded warnings "by a huge magnitude", Fed Farmers says.

Emergency services are warning people to be prepared for flooding in some areas.

There were audible gasps from snow industry reps as a researcher presented his findings.

"It makes us yachties look bad when you get an idiot like that," club commodore says.

The creation of a Māori ward has been voted down by Kaikōura District Council.

Its marshy waters are home to dozens of threatened species of bird, including the prized kōtuku, but New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland is on fragile ground. Made with funding from NZ On Air. Video / Frank Film

Wanted criminal James Bryant hands himself in at Dunedin Police Station after encouragement from support person Arthur Taylor. Video / ODT

Wanted criminal pays for a helicopter to fly him out of the bush to hand himself in.

Passenger Olivia Brown, who died in the crash, was told not to wear a seatbelt.

Ardern praises scientific work and reveals she is a Shackleton fan.

'They basically could have just given all the kids a vaping kit or something.'

Mark Cowling died after an alleged dispute with a 'noisy neighbour'.

Cloud might block the view for some, but other parts of New Zealand are in for a treat.

Harrowing 111 calls played: 'If I let go of him right now, he's going to die.'

The southeasterly will bring snow to the South Island and dry spells for the West Coast.

Exasperated neighbour cut power before he was fatally stabbed.

Lyndon Richardson admitted participating in an organised criminal group.

Inspector Paula Enoka has also served in Timor Leste and represented NZ at hockey.

A heavy rain warning is already in place for one area, and strong wind watches for others.

Sam Neill likes lying low back home in Earnscleugh, but he is coaxed out occasionally ...

Guy Wallace died in March.

Jonathon Gary Brown says 'a feeling came over him' when he was inside the house.

See whether your region is among those best placed to witness the lunar display.

Parched paddocks – how Banks Peninsula farmers are adapting to the big dry. Frank Film heads to the hills. Made with funding from NZ On Air. Video / Frank Film

Formers members are pushing for a change of leadership.

The extra money will go to replacing old locomotives in the South Island.

The incident happened at Rangiora Farmers In December last year.