Gales and heavy rain pounding the North Island have shattered weather records, and winds last night hampered rescue efforts after a mass whale stranding at the northern tip of NZ.

Severe weather has hit much of NZ. Follow updates in your area.

Another cold front is set to bring more wet weather to a battered North Island with more snow forecast for Southland.

Wild weather is continuing to cause disruption across NZ, closing roads and causing power cuts.

Raging squalls shook houses and cut power to thousands yesterday in what forecasters called a 'lull' in the storm ravaging NZ.

The corpses of newborn lambs are piling up in their tens of thousands as cold weather continues to hit Southland.

12,000 people are still without power in the North Island as wild weather continues to plague the country.

Severe snow, wind and rain is expected to continue to batter parts of the country but Auckland looks set to escape the worst of it.

Hundreds of North Island homes have been hit by power cuts as high winds continue to lash regions still reeling from the weekend's storm.

Southlanders are being urged to prepare for further high winds today and more snow tomorrow.

North Islanders face nearly a week of dismal weather after the damaging weekend storm, while those in the South battle with snow.

Powerco says around 3500 houses in the North Island without power should have the service restored by tonight.

The storm that hit New Zealand this weekend cut electricity to around 45,000 people and bowled over hundreds of trees.

Southlanders are being asked to stay at home and travel on roads only if it is absolutely necessary

Delivery of the New Zealand Herald newspaper to homes in Auckland has been delayed this morning.

A massive storm is making its presence felt on towns, cities and suburbs across NZ. See how it's impacting your area.

A storm the size of Australia is hitting New Zealand with winds of 130km/h around Wellington and heavy snow falling in parts of Westland.

The MetService has issued severe weather warnings for all of NZ as a storm the size of Australia passes over. Strong gales are forecast in many North Island areas and heavy snow in the south.

The wild weather is expected to bring extreme conditions over the next 48 hours, with gale force winds,heavy rain and freezing temperatures.

Aucklanders are being warned to stay away from beaches with gales and large ocean swells set to batter much of the country in coming says.

A low 'the size of Australia' is heading our way - bringing with it gales and huge ocean swells, warn experts.

One of the largest storms on the planet is due to hit New Zealand tomorrow, bringing gales, heavy rain and snow to much of the country.

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