Police officer Bruce Mellor, who was viciously attacked with a machete at the weekend, is steadily improving.

Two youths were remanded in custody when they appeared in Wanganui District Court today after a police officer was brutally attacked with a machete over the weekend.

The Police Minister will meet the Police Commissioner today to discuss a report on whether to give officers easier access to firearms following the brutal machete attack on a policeman on Saturday morning.

A police officer who was brutally attacked with a machete on Saturday morning has been overwhelmed by messages of support from workmates and the public, police say.

Tributes have poured in for senior constable Bruce Mellor, who was last night in emergency surgery to rebuild his face.

The army is investigating how a box of ammunition fell off the back of one of its trucks and was run over by a car.

A cold southerly is set to dump more snow on the Desert Road and bring a chill to much of the country.