States of emergency declared as severe weather hits; Luxon reveals 2026 election date; Canadian family 'shattered' by teen's death on dream Australia holiday.
Live: New states of emergency declared as evacuations begin in Northland
Evacuations are underway in several areas of the country after four red-level rain warnings were issued earlier today.
Multiple states of emergency have been declared as a result.
Slips and flooding has already occurred in some areas, and others have been warned the worst is yet to come.
'Game on' as Luxon reveals 2026 election date
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has revealed New Zealanders will head to the polls in November.
The announcement was made at National's annual caucus retreat in Christchurch, where coalition MPs had gathered for their first meetings of the year away from Parliament.
Canadian family 'shattered' by teen's death on dream Australia holiday
The father of a teenager found dead surrounded by wild dingoes at an iconic Australian tourist spot says her family's "hearts are shattered" by the tragedy.
Canadian backpacker Piper James, 19, was on a holiday of a lifetime on Queensland's K'gari (Fraser Island) when she went for an early morning swim on Monday.
Watch: Roads and properties flooded as heavy rain lashes Thames-Coromandel
A state of emergency has been declared in the district as heavy rain lashes much of the North Island.
ONE REUNITED DUO
Kiwi musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords are set to reunite for their first live show in eight years.
The pair – Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement – will perform a one-off show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on May 9 as part of the Netflix is a Joke Festival.
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