Dr Nick Smith makes ELA harder to access. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

And it might not be over yet. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

The next Parliament will be tasked with deciding whether NZ legalises euthanasia.

"Where's the money honey," asks one mayor over the cost of preparing for sea level rises.

Get out now, Coromandel Peninsula coastal residents told.

Here are the latest weather updates, region by region as Cyclone Cook bears down.

The skies are beginning to clear after last night's storm, but the respite may be short-lived, with thunderstorms and more heavy rain forecast for later today.

Hauraki Mayor John Tregidga met with locals in Whiritoa, as they band together after being hit with 260mm of rain in the past 24 hours. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Police are cracking down on freedom campers who are parking their caravans at holiday homes while the owners are out of town.

Two far north Coromandel settlements remain cut off and roads remain closed or down to one lane after numerous slips and washouts across the region.

As the long weekend approaches, our thoughts turn to having a break away from work - but many of us will carry on with the job while we're away.

About 1400 private bach owners on the Coromandel face being stung with a new council charge if their properties are rented out as short-term holiday accommodation.

Coromandel's council has been accused of going against its own efforts to showcase heritage by proposing to dump half of the character town's listed buildings from the register.

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.

A plan to put one of the country's most pristine beaches back in public hands has been presented to the Government.

Wilderland, an alternative community on the Coromandel Peninsula, has been ordered to evacuate and demolish all its dwellings.