Wild weather across the country, a NZ First MP calls it quits, and Iran says it has delivered a 'slap to America's face'.
1 Nelson/Tasman 'cut off' by road, states of emergency across top of the South
Heavy rain, gales and stormy weather have hit much of the country today after MetService issued weather warnings for Nelson, Marlborough, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Northland and Auckland.
States of emergency have been declared for the Nelson/Tasman region and part of Marlborough to support a precautionary evacuation of Spring Creek and its residents.
2 NZ First MP suddenly quits Parliament
1News revealed that NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich will resign to move back to the private sector after entering parliament in 2023.
She caused controversy early in her term after being linked to an anti-Covid vaccine channel and has faced attacks following the introduction of NZ First's Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill.
She will be replaced by David Wilson, a former chief executive from Whangārei.
3 Iran delivered 'slap to America's face', says Supreme Leader
In the Iranian leader's first public comments since the ceasefire was declared, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly warned and threatened the United States and Israel against any further attacks.
He also downplayed Sunday's US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, saying Trump had "exaggerated" their impact.
4 Cruise passengers and crew rescued north of West Australia
Ten passengers and eight crew members have been rescued from a remote and uninhabited island off the northern coast of Australia.
The group were from a luxury cruise and were taking part in an expedition tour near the island when a fast-moving tide caught them by surprise and left them stranded in knee-deep water.
5 Paul Henry appointed to TVNZ board
Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith announced this morning that broadcaster Paul Henry has been appointed to the board of TVNZ.
Henry was a former host of Breakfast and was also confirmed earlier this month to host upcoming episodes of The Chase New Zealand.
Watch: Heavy rain and flooding as wild weather hits north and south
Severe flooding at the top of the South Island has sparked evacuations and road closures, with states of emergency declared in some regions.
ONE BIG WEDDING
Amazon multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Venice wedding is almost underway and, despite protests from a dozen Venetian organisations, the star-studded guests have begun to arrive.
One estimate of the total cost of the wedding has a price tag of around US$50 million, which is nothing for the world's fourth-richest man, who has a net worth of US$231 billion.
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