A large landslip swept through a campground where up to 42 people were sleeping in flood-stricken Central Otago early today.

Further flooding is possible for the South Island's sodden Waitaki district, where 1000 people remain without drinking water.

Nine tourists have been stranded by floodwaters on State Highway 1 north of Oamaru after failing to observe warning signs earlier today.

Heavy rain and gales are expected to lash the main islands from tonight, with the MetService warning of one of the "bigger weather events" for some time.

A senior Queenstown police officer is facing a code of conduct inquiry after being caught speeding in the Kawarau Gorge.

Almost three-quarters of people who think they have olive skin actually only have fair skin, according to a University of Otago study.

A nurse has been struck off the register for punching a "vulnerable" elderly man in the mouth while she was working at a resthome.