Weather
Winds gust to 240km/h on lower North Island's east coast
Winds in Wellington have topped 190km/h in high parts and about 130km/h in the city.
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 16 February 2026
A storm has ravaged the lower North Island with states of emergency called in Manawatu, Otorohanga, Waipa, Tararua District and Rangitikei.Evacuations are happening now as flooding hits Lower Hutt… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 16 February
This morning we spoke to the Prime Minister after he confirmed Eden Park will host a State of Origin match next year. We also spoke to Sir Graham Lowe about the announcement; The Vaping Industry… Audio
Weather: Air New Zealand update
Air New Zealand chief operating officer Alex Marren after the airline cancelled flights out of Wellington, Napier and Palmerston North due to strong winds. Audio
Much of North Island hammered by wind and rain
RNZ reporter Nick James with the latest from Epuni. Audio
The silver lining amongst devastation, damage and disarray
Colin Payne's Ōtorohanga home was inundated by floodwaters at the weekend, but a saved pet goat and heirloom teddy bear is keeping his spirits up. Audio
Weather: Latest update from Makirikiri Marae in Dannevirke
Large parts of the North Island have endured a wild weather night, with very strong winds knocking out power to thousands of homes. In Dannevirke, the Makirikiri Marae has been supporting residents… Audio
Heavy rain and strong winds expected overnight
More warnings have been issued for heavy rain overnight, with multiple districts now in a state of emergency.
Wellington flights cancelled, hundreds without power
All regional flights in and out of Wellington are cancelled while locals are warned to stay off south coast beaches amid severe southerly winds and heavy rain.
State of emergency declared for Tararua District ahead of wild weather
MetService has issued multiple orange heavy rain and strong wind warnings from Sunday morning through to Monday evening.
'Never seen anything like' weather that hit Waipā - Waikato man
Ryan Vickers says he had never seen damage like the scenes on his parent's Waipā farm following Friday's intense rain.
Concerns weather could push raw sewage towards Wellington's shoreline
Wellington Water is concerned that the weather could increase the likelihood of raw sewage being pushed towards the shoreline.
Ōtorohanga mum helped sound the alarm of neighbourhood flooding
Trish Osterman said the rain had eased on Friday night when she went to bed, and she didn't expect that things would pick up again in the morning.
Flooding surrounds houses in Ōtorohanga
A local state of emergency has been declared after the district was lashed by heavy rains overnight.
'Totally and utterly devastated': Ōtorohanga residents wake to waist-deep floodwaters
Local Colin Payne said waters close to three metres high had come through his property overnight.
Flood closures threaten to sever Martinborough's main roads
Engineers' concerns over bridge damage mean two of the three main access routes may close in severe flooding.
State of emergency in Ōtorohanga, more rain on the way
Orange heavy rain warnings remain in place for several regions, and some households have been without power overnight.
Precious taonga destroyed by floodwaters
Almost two dozen members of the community rallied to save what they could from the sodden Ōtorohanga Museum, but the full extent of the damage is still unknown.
Latest on the wild weather
We talk to Tairāwhiti Civil Defence controller Ben Green and Met Service Meteorologist, John Law for the latest. Audio
Tai Rāwhiti residents warned to stock up ahead of weather
Tai Rāwhiti residents are being warned to stock up with a weeks worth of supplies as an orange heavy rain warning looms for the already hammered district. Metservice is forecasting up to 250… Audio
