Sacked NIWA scientist Jim Salinger says a call made to Jim Hickey was not in a professional capacity, as NIWA alleges, a therapist tells the ERA.

A woman charged with the manslaughter of a West Coast publican is being blocked from returning home by angry locals.

A severe weather warning is issued for the lower North Island while police warn of surface flooding in Auckland.

Police have named the man who died immediately when an 18,000 litre bitumen tanker exploded this morning.