Midday Report

A state of emergency is still in force for Auckland, where heavy rain overnight led to more flooding and slips.

Many roads remain impassable throughout the top of the North Island.

Auckland Emergency Management says 40 properties have been red stickered, 151 yellow stickered, and 366 white placards have been issued.

Meanwhile, in Tauranga, one family thought they were in the middle of a huge earthquake when their home was hit by a slip which woke them up overnight on Saturday. 

Teressa Hodgson and Luke Hanan spoke to Māni Dunlop about the terrifying night.

Staff at the country's audiovisual archives Nga Taonga are going to make their 32.5 hour working week permanent.

They've been trialling shorter, more flexible hours since the middle of last year, and staff surveys show health and wellbeing improvements.

And the best part - their pay has stayed the same.

Ngā Taonga's manager of people practice Nell Fitzjohn spoke to Māni Dunlop.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds knocked out power to thousands of people in parts of the upper North Island this morning.

Heavy rain warnings are still in place for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane, and Mount Taranaki.

Metservice meteorologist Lewis Ferris spoke to Māni Dunlop.

News from the rural farming sector

Midday sports News for 27 January 2023 The Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua says being exposed in some areas by Australia has its positives leading into this year's Netball World Cup.

News from the business sector

The Forestry Minister has confirmed he is open to an independent inquiry into land management in the Tairawhiti district, but the industry says a long term fix would be expensive.

Wood debris has been washing up on the region's beaches after extreme weather events such as Cyclone Hale.

On Wednesday a 12-year-old boy died at Waikanae Beach in Gisborne when he fell off a floating log and was then hit by it.

Farm Forestry President Graham West told Māni Dunlop the fix could be costly.

Power cuts, flash floods and intense downpours are currently hitting the upper North Island as Metservice extends its warnings for the Auckland Anniversary Day weekend.

Northland and Auckland are under a heavy rain warning today and watches are now in place through to Saturday evening for the Bay of Plenty from Whakatane east, and the Gisborne area north of Ruatoria, as well as Tongariro National Park and parts of Wairarapa.

Thames Valley Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler spoke to Mani Dunlop about the situation.

Tokelauans are hitting the polls today to vote for their next government. RNZ Pacific's Lydia Lewis is covering the developments.

Renters around Aotearoa are having to come up with more coin than ever to keep a roof over their heads - especially in Northland.

The Trade Me data for 2022 shows the rental price has hit an all time high - and with the exception of the capital, every region saw a hike in the costs.

Trade Me Property Sales Director Gavin Lloyd spoke to Māni Dunlop.