An umbrella in the rain.

Heavy rain, strong winds to sweep NZ over school holiday weekend

MetService said a front would move onto the South Island overnight before tracking north across the country over the weekend.

Thu, Oct 1

Many families are expected to be on the road this weekend for the start of the school holidays.

School holiday travel disrupted by snowy, wet and windy start

NZTA said caution was advised for those travelling throughout the central South Island today as heavy snow blanketed highways and caused disruptions.

Sun, Sep 27

The pair were initially charged with grievous bodily harm before the child was confirmed dead.

Pair charged with murder of young child in Southland

The child was taken to hospital in a critical condition after emergency services were called to a property in Otautau on Sunday, but died at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital on Wednesday.

Fri, Sep 25

The pump price squeeze is hitting Nelson hardest, with 91 jumping 46c a litre in just over three weeks.

The region where petrol prices are rising faster than anywhere else

One region has jumped from an average of $2.85 to $3.31 a litre as global oil supply fears drive prices higher across the country.

Fri, Sep 25

Illustration of cold weather.

'Touches of winter' to bring wet, windy start to school holidays

MetService said a series of fronts was expected to bring unsettled weather over the coming days, before a stronger system arrived on Sunday.

Thu, Sep 24

Much of the North Island will drop below freezing overnight with Taupō forecast to hit -4C as a blast of cold southern air brings unseasonable frosts.

Late-season frosts to send much of North Island below zero overnight

MetService says tonight's temperatures as "quite cold for this time of year" as southern air sweeps the country just hours after the spring equinox.

Wed, Sep 23

Emergency services were called to an address in Otautau at around 6.50pm on Sunday, with the child taken to Southland Hospital in a critical condition.

Child injured at Southland property dies, teens face further charges

A homicide investigation has been launched after the incident in Otautau, a small town northwest of Invercargill.

Wed, Sep 23

Road snowfall warnings were in place across several key South Island routes on Tuesday.

Cold snap brings snow to South Island roads, gales and frost ahead

Road snowfall warnings are in place across multiple alpine routes, with MetService also forecasting a widespread frost later in the week.

Tue, Sep 22

Emergency services were called to a property in Otautau around 6.50pm yesterday.

Two charged after Southland child suffers 'severe injury'

The child remains in critical condition in Southland Hospital.

Mon, Sep 21

Emergency services responded to the crash near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Mill Rd South at around 1.20pm.

Person dies after car and freight train collide near Invercargill

Emergency services were called to the scene near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Mill Rd South, with motorists warned to expect delays.

Fri, Sep 18

Snow and ice were affecting some highways across the South Island, with NZTA urging caution for drivers.

South Island roads reopen after spring snow dump

NZTA said "general caution is being encouraged where snow and flooding remain" after two state highways reopened.

Thu, Sep 17

Feldwick Gates at Queens Park, Invercargill, where trees labelled flight risks have been replanted.

'Bit nonsensical': Questions over trees replanted in flight path

Invercargill Council has been criticised by one of its own for removing trees because of an airspace issue, only to replant the same variety at the site.

Fri, Sep 11

(file image)

Motorcyclist dies after crash with truck in Invercargill

Police were called to Clyde Street, near Crinan Street, after a crash involving a truck and motorcycle around 9.30pm.

Fri, Sep 11

Gore now has the largest wind-generated power facility, but this will soon be overtaken. 

South Island's largest wind farm opens after $600m investment

The Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm near Gore has the ability to generate enough electricity to power 96,000 homes.

Wed, Sep 9

Winter landscape. Dry grass in frost in the morning sun.

New Zealand records third warmest winter on record

Earth Sciences New Zealand said exceptional June warmth helped make this year's winter one of the country's warmest since records began.

Fri, Sep 4

A 5.5 magnitude quake has rattled Milford Sound. (Source: GeoNet)

Bridge reopens following quakes in lower South Island

Earlier, Edith Cavell Bridge was closed while engineers inspected the structure, Queenstown Lakes District Council said.

Thu, Sep 3

Farmer fined $7500 after bulls euthanised over untreated injuries

Farmer fined $7500 after bulls euthanised over untreated injuries

David Church was convicted on five animal welfare charges after inspectors found cattle in severe pain, with four needing to be put down.

Wed, Sep 2

Above average temperatures are most likely for the east and north of the North Island this spring.

One of strongest El Niños on record to drive warm, windy spring for NZ

Above average temperatures are most likely for the east and north of the North Island this spring.

Wed, Sep 2

August 2026
A truck appeared to be stuck in the snow this morning.

Major Otago road to stay closed overnight as snow storm strikes south

Dumping of snow closes SH87 from Outram to Middlemarch with caution urged on SH88 at Sawyers Bay.

Mon, Aug 31

Snow blankets buildings in Aoraki/Mount Cook

Winter storm shuts South Island highways, avalanche risk climbs

Heavy snow, rockfalls and avalanche risk are disrupting travel across the South Island, with forecasters warning of more heavy rain and snow to come.

Thu, Aug 27

MetService has upgraded a heavy rain watch to an orange-level warning with up to 90mm of rain expected in 12 hours.

West Coast in the firing line as winter storm parks over the South

Heavy rain warnings have extended up the West Coast as a "significant winter storm" grinds to a halt over the South Island today.

Wed, Aug 26

A slow-moving system is set to dump up to 500mm of rain on Westland, while heavy snow threatens inland Canterbury and Otago, with major travel disruption possible.

South Island storm warnings issued as up to 500mm of rain forecast

A slow-moving system is set to dump up to 500mm of rain on the West Coast, while heavy snow threatens inland Canterbury and Otago.

Tue, Aug 25

Rain on the West Coast (file image).

'Significant winter storm' to stall over South Island from midweek

Days of prolonged rain will swell West Coast rivers before heavy snow closes in on inland passes later in the week.

Mon, Aug 24

Power lines.

Hundreds still without power as storm, grid fault hit lower South

Stormy conditions and a national grid fault knocked out power to more than 25,000 properties at around lunchtime.

Sun, Aug 23

The current weather warnings in place.

New and upgraded weather warnings as fronts bring wind and rain

A series of fronts "embedded within a strong and moist northwest flow" will move over New Zealand today and tomorrow, followed by a change to strong, colder southwesterlies.

Sat, Aug 22