A last minute change to election rules that will allow all Australians with Covid to cast their vote has staved off court action as the lucky country prepares to go to the polls on Saturday.

But more than three million people have made their choice and voted early. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is hoping to cling on to power, despite heavy criticism from within his own party and beyond - with the deputy PM calling him a hypocrite.

In the red corner is Labor's Anthony Albanese, one of Australia's longest serving MPs.

ABC political commentator Peter Ryan talks to Lisa Owen.

Pundits are tipping a hung parliament when voters hit the polls for the Australian Federal Election tomorrow.

The Prime Minister, in the fight of his political life, has spent the final week of the campaign visiting marginal electorates.

Many of the government seats are at real risk of falling to independents.

Penny Sheffield reports from Sydney.

It's been a wild weather day in Auckland which has impacted on travel around the city.

Nick Truebridge has the details.

Pharmac's been given its biggest ever Budget allowance - $191 million - but it falls well short of what patient advocates wanted.

The drug buying agency would've needed around $400 million to clear its waitlist, which has about 130 applications.

And as Louise Ternouth reports those with rare diseases are still fighting to even get a spot on the list.

Some Levin growers have been hit hard in today's hail and thunder storm, with one likening the damage to a shot gun blast to the veges.

Locals describe a mini tornado hitting early this morning, ripping trees up, roofs off and sending debris including a whole garage flying.

MetService says over a period of six hours this morning there was about 12,000 lightning strikes around the country.

Vegetables NZ CEO John Murphy has told Checkpoint Horowhenua is a key vegetable growing region in New Zealand, "so this will have an effect on national supplies unfortunately".

"You're talking about greens, broccoli, celery, and cabbage I've heard have been particularly affected.

"But we really need to talk to people next week and assess the damage properly before we can speak too much."

He said it is concerning on top of the dry weather affecting Pukekohe.

"It's a little bit disappointing because prices were easing. But we would of course say there is the good vegetables out there at good prices, if you look for those that are on special, but today's news was a real kick in the shins for growers."

News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6306514235112

The government says making public transport half price would cost $250 million a year.

As part of the Budget, the policy's been extended permanently for Community Service Card holders, but only until August for everyone else.

The Transport Minister says it's all about balance - and it isn't the only way to drive people onto buses and trains.

Our political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

A woman has died after being crushed by a falling tree that she was sheltering under during a freakish storm in the Waikato town of Cambridge.

The oak toppled in high winds this morning. Arborists have since inspected its roots and confirmed it was healthy.

Waipā District Council's Sally Sheedy explains what happened.

Levin has been left to deal with a trail of destruction after a wild storm ripped through the town this morning.

Rooves lifted off homes - debris scattered - schools closed and power lines left dangling on the road.

Reporter Ruth Hill and camera man Angus Dreaver have the story, and Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden talks to Lisa Owen.

It was a frightening and fatal start to Friday due to wild weather. A woman is dead after being crushed by a tree in Cambridge, Levin is battered by what locals call a tornado, and golf ball sized hail and thousands of lightening strikes lashed parts of the motu.

In Auckland the evening rush hour has been hit by the weather as the harbour bridge is limited and some ferries have been cancelled.

For the latest we're joined by Nick Truebridge from near the bridge.