A grieving husband has described his "deep-seated hatred" towards an alleged drunk-driver whose car struck and killed a Kapiti grandmother last weekend.

The southerly which cut power to Wellington residents last night has moved north but fresh gales are expected in the lower South Island.

Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.

No one knows why Moko the dolphin prefers humans to his own kind, but everyone in Gisborne - both locals and visitors alike - are delighted he does.

A small community is reeling from the death of a popular teacher and new father mown down by a 70-year-old allegedly "blotto" from drink.