18,000 lightning strikes hammer North Island, NZ closes embassy in Iran as threat escalates, and rugby greats on Scott Robertson's shock departure
Highway shut, 18,000 lightning strikes hammer North Island
Almost 18,000 lightning strikes were recorded across the North Island in 19 hours following severe thunderstorms.
MetService said the strikes were recorded between Northland and Manawatū, with Taranaki and Waikato recording the highest number.
Flooding and slips from the thunderstorms also closed parts of State Highway 2 between Ōpōtiki in Gisborne.
NZ closes embassy in Iran, evacuates staff as threat escalates
New Zealand has temporarily closed its embassy in Iran and evacuated all diplomatic staff amid what officials describe as a "deteriorating security situation" in the country.
Human rights groups estimated the death toll has reached more than 2500 since nationwide protests against the regime began last month.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed it had been decided to shut its Tehran embassy and shift operations to Ankara, Türkiye.
Waitārere Beach shooting victims 'fighting for their lives'
Police say three people shot at a Waitārere Beach property are "fighting for their lives" in hospital.
A woman, 46, and two males aged 21 and 17 were critically injured during the incident on Wednesday, and Benjamin Harry Timmins, 60, died at the scene.
In an update today, Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham said, "we still have three people critically injured and fighting for their lives in hospital".
Watch: Tornado touches down on Waikato farmland
It came as severe thunderstorms hit much of the North Island on Thursday.
ONE SHOCK EXIT
Scott Robertson’s shock departure has sent a jolt through New Zealand rugby, with some of the game's biggest names stunned by the All Blacks coach being cut loose two years before the end of his contract.
One former All Black said he was "floored" by Robertson's dismissal, with another calling the decision a "massive surprise".
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