But the good news is the wild weather of the past 24 hours is easing for most of the country.

Police shut the road at 1am after the strong gusts made it too perilous for traffic using the pass.

New Zealand's toughest criminals are doing yoga behind bars in a bid to reduce recidivism and help turn their lives around.

Were the quakes that struck Wairarapa today and Christchurch last night caused by the weather or planets ... or neither?