Flooding caused road and bridge closures, cut power to homes and forced people to spend night in emergency accommodation or with friends and family.

Roads closed by extensive flooding and slips in the lower North Island are reopening tonight, but transport authorities are warning motorists to take care.

Three men have been charged over the death of a woman who got out of her car to move metal barriers blocking a state highway.

A man with a mouth "like an open sewer" who drove his neighbours off their rural block says he spends too much time driving to do community work.

Wild weather causes extensive damage in Taranaki and the storm is due to hit Auckland later this morning. See photos of the impact inside.

This South Taranaki town has some top-notch dining and several great museums.

A climber rescued after he got stuck on Mt Taranaki overnight was left at the summit by his mates.

One person is believed to have died following a two-car collision in south Taranaki today.

Pack up the kids and head to the 'Naki, urges Rob Cox, but, he warns, you may have to eat humble pie when you see its glories.

The death of a baby girl in Taranaki today may have been been a tragic accident caused by a falling household object.

Taranaki police have again spent the early hours of the morning coming to the aid of staggering residents who gave them a prickly welcome.

"They're everywhere. Any food you have, you absolutely have to keep it in the fridge. It's out of control and everyone is so sick of these ants."

One person is dead after a car collided with an Intercity bus at Awakino in Taranaki today.

At least 25 men and a digger were used to save a man whose 4WD flipped during a race meeting in Taranaki, trapping him under water.

A lawyer has warned teenagers to be careful what they post on social media after two teens were acquitted of sexual violation charges in the High Court in New Plymouth

A man has been charged in relation to the death of a woman who was hit by a car on a Taranaki highway in August as she removed metal barriers from the road.

A man has been ordered to pay his ex-wife and business partner more than $100,000 after their relationship ended and she was sacked.

Two motorcyclists are injured after their vehicles crashed in Taranaki today.

The parents of an Auckland woman who died with her partner on a climbing trip to Mt Taranaki have spoken for the first time of the "big gap" left in their lives.

Friends of an Auckland couple who died on Mt Taranaki after getting stranded last Labour weekend are set to climb the peak to remember them this weekend.