Hawke's Bay

As a wave of heat spreads across the country, rain and wind warnings are also in place in the South Island.

The new service replaces the previous MyWay trial, which ends on 23 January.

The camps have been running since 1979 and Hawke's Bay Cricket Association's boss says scorching heats won't stop it.

The crash occurred on State Highway 50 in the Hastings District at around 2:20am.

Councils are warning locals to get ready as a heatwave looks to blanket parts of the country. Audio

Experts are relocating the skinks to make way for a $37.4 million stormwater infrastructure project between Maraenui and Te Awa.

Puke Aute papakāinga south of Hastings has 10 new houses built on Māori ancestral land as well as vege gardens, lambs, chickens and pigs.

Several prized reptiles have been taken from a park enclosure, and police are getting involved.

It's among the district's highest-risk locations, with 10 crashes, including one fatality, over the past five years.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms have been dropping rain across the upper North Island.

"They don't pay tax, lack safety standards, and sell poor-quality products which are harming consumers, legitimate businesses, and the wider community," John Caulton claims.

The Pakowhai Rd site is near the scene of a fatal car crash on the Chesterhope Bridge in 1998.

A Napier antique shop owner is blaming the high price of silver, after an overnight burglary at her store between Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson told RNZ there's now one fire truck monitoring the scene, and the fire investigators have left.

Firefighters will remain at the scene of the fire in Hastings overnight.

The design allows the Hawke's Bay river's mouth to be opened more quickly and safely, particularly ahead of forecast heavy rainfall.

Five people have been injured, and drivers are being told to avoid the area and expect delays.

With no rainfall forecast for weeks, the risk is great for a fire getting out of control, a fire chief says.

Emergency services were called to the crash site near Flemington south of Waipukurau last night.

Police say there will be an increased presence this weekend with gang members expected to attend the unveiling of a headstone.