A weak cold front will bring cloud, drizzle and showers to the country over the next few days but should clear in time for New Year celebrations.

The man drowned while kayaking to Donut Island off Whangamata.

Don't let the morning cloud fool you - it is set to be a fine Boxing Day for New Zealanders, with Central Otago tipped as the best place to be.

The boat was trying to cross the Whangapoua Harbour bar.

The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

Wet weather today will clear throughout the country making way for a mainly fine Christmas weekend.

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Kauri dieback infection rates in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park have more than doubled in the past five years.

If variety is the spice of life, this week is set to be a lively one.

A petition in support a Whitianga harbourmaster stood down after helping rescue an orca has attracted hundreds of signatures.

The woman was a passenger in a Toyota Hilux that smashed through a barrier and fell 70m, landing on its wheels in a paddock.

The passengers of a ute had a lucky escape when their ute tumbled 70 metres down a tricky stretch of road south of Coromandel Town last night.

Proposed new marine protected areas, rules for polluters and changes to commercial fishing methods have been revealed in a long-awaited master plan for the Hauraki Gulf.

New Zealand has been spared half a billion dollars in damage from a notorious pest - and scientists say it's an Irish wasp we have to thank for it.

Police hold fears for two people who may be missing overnight off a Coromandel beach on a double kayak.

The signs of summer are among us with pohutakawa trees flowering already and forecasters say the official first day of the season on Thursday will be calm and dry.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is touring the country holding public consultation meetings, seeking feedback about its 'Future of our Fisheries' programme.

Officials are urging residents around the Firth of Thames to take photos of King Tides to help them chart the impact of possible sea level rises. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Te Aroha Museum is celebrating 110 years of electricity in the region with an exhibition that will trigger powerful memories for older people. Among the items on display, vintage vacuum cleaners and heaters. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

A man who has been missing since yesterday has been found dead.

Squally thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast to hit the North Island overnight, with a severe weather watch in place.

A Whangamata farmer has been flown to Tauranga Hospital after a fall. The 64-year-old had been working in a milking shed when he

A man was taken to hospital in a serious condition after falling 2.5m off a roof in the Coromandel.

One man's Saturday evening on a beach, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula, ended in an unexpected chopper ride to hospital.

COMMENT: As a child of the Central North Island I can't think of a better place to be than the Bay of Plenty.

Both sides of an ugly stand-off over abortions in Thames are vowing to continue their weekly protests, despite growing concern from women who want terminations. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Police shooting in Thames was an unavoidable tragedy, finds Conduct Authority report.

The Wakatere playground in Thames will soon be gone.

Stephanie Holmes lives a life of luxury in the Coromandel ... if only for a weekend.