Northland

Whangārei police are investigating the death of a motorcyclist just south of the city overnight.

The council is promising more than one sweep as residents and businesses dispose of their damaged goods. Audio

Building inspectors have completed 90 rapid assessments of properties damaged by the Mangawhai tornado, stickering 35 of them.

The storm in Mangawhai was so powerful that power poles were snapped in half and roofs were ripped off, leaving the seaside community littered with debris. Audio

Mangawhai has been compared to a war zone, with houses destroyed, roofs torn off, debris scattered across roads and power poles ripped out.

FENZ Northland manager Wipari Henwood says the damage was some of the worst he had seen from a tornado.

Residents are pulling together to tidy up after the devastation, but power lines have been torn down and cars have been crushed by trees.

Heavy rain warnings and watches have been issued, and people are being told to be prepared.

James Fisher-Harris is calling for the return of his stolen premiership winning boots, which he had donated.

Allowing a company to apply for fast-tracked consent to mine sand has galvanised opposition and brought previously disparate groups together, the plan's critics say.

An innocent bystander gave Kevin Grey a friendly nod. Moments later he and his partner were being viciously attacked.

The Azamara Pursuit cruise was the first of four set to berth at Northport this year.

They them fled with stolen items.

Police continue to investigate how the five-month-old received serious head injuries.

Residents are being warned to brace for heavy rain and gale-force winds as a subtropical low sweeps down from Northland.

A police spokesperson said emergency services were called to the Moody Avenue address shortly before 5pm on Saturday after the woman was found unresponsive.

The decision means outdoor fires can only be lit with fire permits authorised by Fire and Emergency, returning Te Tai Tokerau to a restricted fire season.

There is a high chance of the heavy rain watch upgrading to a warning in Northland.

Heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit Northland, Auckland and Coromandel over the next couple of days.