Tens of thousands of Kiwis drink water that fails to meet quality or monitoring standards, prompting calls for better investment in New Zealand's smaller supplies.

More than 100 insurance claims have already been lodged with AA Insurance today for damages to roofs, windows and fences from the overnight storm.

A 4WD track featuring steep slopes, a waterfall, boulders and pools of water is one of the attractions at this year's National Fieldays in Hamilton.

When Marlborough Boys' College head boy Angus Pauley saw a young girl being swept away by a flooded Blenheim river this morning, he knew what he had to do.

A kayaker who capsized in wild Northland weather last night was embarking on his usual 10-minute commute home from work.

Elderly dementia patients have been evacuated from their Canterbury rest home after it was flooded overnight in a torrential rainstorm.

Scientists are being told to use art and poetry to win public support in the battle to curb climate change.

"Sea," said King Canute, the 11th-century Danish King of England, "I command you to come no further!"

A South Korean man has drowned after diving into a popular river rockslide pool to save two children.

It's been found on nearly every bank note in the UK, in toilets at Parliament - now tests confirm cocaine traces are in Britain's drinking water.

If the hike in your rates bill seems less of a leap this year, enjoy it while you can.

Scientists have issued a new warning to the world’s coastal megacities that the threat from subsiding land is a more immediate problem than rising sea levels caused by global warming.

A headline in the Herald reads: "Farmers warned to prepare for the worst as risk of El Nino grows."

A 7-month-old Auckland boy on holiday with his family has died after being found in the water at the marina in Whitianga.

As the battle to free 290 from a sunken ferry in South Korea continues, it's emerged texts purported to be sent from trapped children were a hoax.

The health of Auckland's harbours and streams is continuing to deteriorate under a mostly 1950s approach to stormwater, says a report obtained by the Herald.

High temperatures and scarce rainfall helped make last month one of the driest Marches on record in many places.

Exclusive: When 5-year-old Tre-Vaughn Dysart saw his classmate slip underwater his instincts kicked in.

Dame Vivienne Westwood has admitted she shares bathwater with her husband.