The homes are between Whangamata and Tairua, areas among the most affected by record-breaking rains.

Investigation into failed New Lynn culvert and the treatment plant struggling to filter dirty flood waters.

It's been a shocker of a few days, MP David Cunliffe says in the flood's aftermath.

The EQC said people affected by last week's storms have three months to lodge a claim.

Flooding reached worrying heights in Gurvinder Singh's small apartment.

Auckland residents have begun cleaning up drenched homes and filing insurance claims after a massive storm saturated the region.

About 35 people have been evacuated from a block of flats and a commercial building in New Lynn.

A Kiwi scientist meeting in Brazil with world climate experts discusses a new report assessing what an extra 1.5C of warming would mean for the planet.

Rainfall levels 'off the charts' as upper North Island prepares for a second big drenching this week.

What's next for our rain-sodden regions?

Weather watches or warning are in place for most of the upper North Island as more rain is forecast over the week.

Travel is safer now, so fewer of us are dying in large-scale disasters, but climate change could reverse the trend.

Kawerau District Council staff are working as fast as they can to unblock drains after torrential rain caused flooding of over a metre.

Engineers in Northern California are frantically trying to repair "patch and pray" quick-fixes which led to the Oroville Dam's near collapse.

"They told us not to worry. All was good," said Ron Stork.

Preparing New Zealand's water stores for a warmer climate is a major focus of new research projects just awarded more than $2 million.

Motorists face flooding and road closures across the Wellington and Wairarapa regions this morning.

A South Island couple woke at 4am today to find their cat sodden - and their house swimming in 60cm-deep floodwaters.

A record amount of rainfall in Australia has closed its famous national park at Uluru in what is described as a "twice a century" weather event.

Small Pacific island states could be hit by more tropical cyclones during future El Nino weather patterns due to climate change, Australian scientists say.

Geonet say there is a 98 per cent chance of an aftershock of 6 to 6.9 magnitude in the next year.

More than 100 people were evacuated from an affluent area of north London after a burst water main caused severe flooding.

A BMW owner is fuming after being forced to abandon her and her partner's only car in a Wellington building due to earthquake risks.

The Wellington region could once again face slips, flooding, and further road closures as bad weather approaches.

The PM and Kaikoura's mayor have dismissed Brain Tamaki's comments blaming the devastating earthquakes on "gays, murderers and sinners".

Source: Ben Todd. Ben Todd got up this morning, saw heavy rain had flooded the road - then got his jet boat out for burn.

Source: Twitter: Brad Gallen @bzzrkr

Source: Twitter: Gary Curtis @Flyin_GC Carpark completely under water

Source: Facebook: Tracey Po Ching. Flooding in Horoeka St, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt, Wellington

A number of schools have been closed due to flooding, affecting some students due to sit exams after afternoon.