Members of Ngati Ruanui iwi are infuriated their kaumatua Ngapari Nui has been stood down from voluntary work at a prison because of his Black Power affiliations.

A pair of tourists had a lucky escape after their campervan had its side ripped open in a collision caused by wandering cattle.

Red Cross is launching an appeal to help those affected by the weekend's floods - a disaster the organisation has labelled the worst to strike New Zealand since the Canterbury earthquakes.

A Taranaki grandmother says she was shoved to the ground and handcuffed by police after she objected to being evacuated due to flooding.

"They're everywhere. Any food you have, you absolutely have to keep it in the fridge. It's out of control and everyone is so sick of these ants."