Taupo, New Zealand News

A severe weather warning has been issued for large parts of the country with strong winds and rain set to spoil the weekend for many.

PLACE IN THE SUN: Retired IT consultant John Mariu, left, is back at his Waihi Village home after being evacuated earlier in the week.

The small central plateau town of Waihi remains empty amid fears of a landslide, and boats have been warned to stay away.

The Lake Taupo village of Waihi continues to be threatened by a potential landslide with more small earthquakes recorded over Monday night.

About 50 residents of a village on the shores of New Zealand's Lake Taupo who were evacuated after earthquakes threatened to unleash a landslide were given the all-clear Thursday to go home.

Geologists and Civil Defence staff are taking the threat of a landslide in the Hipaua thermal area above the settlement of Waihi on the shore of Lake Taupo seriously.

Scientists are continuing to assess the Waihi Village area near Lake Taupo after a series of earthquakes put it at risk from a major landslip.

Dunedin was hit by heavy snow earlier his month/ Temperatures were well below average during June, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research climate summary says.

Waihi village residents may not know for several days whether they can return to their homes.

About 50 residents of a small village on the shores of New Zealand's Lake Taupo were preparing Tuesday to spend a second night away from home as a massive landslide threatened to sweep away their houses.

A 15-year-old Taupo girl faked her abduction so she could meet her boyfriend yesterday, leading police on a wild goose chase.

Taupo Civil Defence has declared a state of emergency at Waihi Village after a swarm of earthquakes and heavy rainfall raised the threat to a landslide on the Hipaua Cliffs.

Residents of Waihi Village at the southern end of Lake Taupo have voluntarily evacuated, after heavy rainfall and a swarm of earthquakes have hit the area.

Heavy rains lashing the North Island have flooded roads and caused landslips, while snow has been blamed for causing a crash further inland.

Activity associated with an earthquake swarm located in the southern part of Lake Taupo has increased this morning with GeoNet reporting eight shallow earthquakes with magnitudes between 2 and 4. Saturday 27th June 2009 An earthquake swarm close to Turangi on the southern shore of Lake Taupo has increased activity this morning.

A PROPERTY owner at the centre of a planning dispute surrounding a purpose-built motocross track at Quantong believes the issue is affecting his son's performances.

Monday, 22 June 2009, 10:08 am Press Release: NZ Institute of Forestry Media Release The New Zealand Institute of Forestry Inc Forester of the Year Award for 2009 was presented jointly to George Asher of Turangi and Dr David Bergin of Rotorua at the Institute's annual conference in Nelson earlier this month.

Monday, 22 June 2009, 5:13 pm Press Release: Lake Taupo Protection Trust Committee appoints new members to Lake Taupo Protection Trust Two new trustees have been appointed to the Lake Taupo Protection Trust .

Melissa Lee lacked support from the most senior National Party members on Saturday night.

A Tauranga teenager has tested positive for swine flu - the first case in the city of the potentially deadly virus.