National

Heavy rain has pelted central New Zealand overnight, with severe thunderstorms possibly on the way, while rain is impacting highways between Whangārei and Northland, and on the West Coast.

A man who threatened the police with a flounder spear when they arrived at his house to uplift his dog was tasered and pepper-sprayed, and now he is in prison.

Wild weather associated with a former tropical cyclone continues to hit much of the country, making for a wet and stormy Easter Sunday for many.

Community tensions will surround the release of convicted double-murderer Mark Lundy from prison, and Palmerston North doesn't want him back, its mayor says.

Fire and Emergency say crews were forced to rely on tanker water to put out a devastating and dramatic blaze at a country pub and hotel in South Taranaki.

Auckland has been hit by more severe storms this afternoon, and there is now a slew of weather warnings in place for the top half of the South Island.