Showers with squally thunderstorms and hail, easing tomorrow afternoon.

Showers clearing late evening but developing again tomorrow morning, some heavy with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon and evening.

Scattered showers, some heavy with thunderstorms on the ranges easing tomorrow afternoon and becoming confined to the coast.

Periods of heavy rain, with squally thunderstorms and hail, easing tomorrow morning.

Cloudy periods. Showers in Southland, spreading to Otago and southern Canterbury with some heavy this afternoon. Showers easing tomorrow morning and becoming confined to the coast.

Fine spells. Rain developing late evening, becoming heavy and thundery overnight, then easing to tomorrow afternoon.

The Government is committed to improving student attendance at school and kura, Education Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti said in a pre-Budget announcement today.

“It’s clear that young people need to be at school, and yet attendance rates haven’t been good for a long time. It’s a complex issue which has to be addressed right across Government, through social and economic policies that meet the needs of our communities,” Chris Hipkins said.

“There are many reasons why students disengage from learning and this has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, so we are putting measures in place to help turn that around.

“Funding through Budget 2022 will support changes to the system and more targeted investment to make schools a place where all young people want to be, where they can access the support they need and where there are ways back into learning for those who have disengaged.

“A regional response fund of $40 million over four years is being established to meet local education needs, with a strong initial focus on ensuring students are going to school and are engaged in their learning.

“Funds will be provided through Te Mahau, which works closely with the sector and communities, as well as hapū and iwi to ensure frontline support is getting where it needs to in the way it needs to. Te Mahau was established to support all schools to succeed following the reform of Tomorrow’s Schools.

“Some of what the regional response fund will be used for is ensuring pathways are there for disengaged youth alongside iwi, schools, councils and community groups and providers. It can be used to support whānau-led responses to break the cycle of disengagement, or brokering services with other agencies to ensure students have the level of support they need to stay in school. It’s important and complicated work, which this Government is committed to funding and fixing,” Chris Hipkins said.

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Bullying-Free Week NZ from 16-20 May is celebrating the positive mahi happening in schools and kura across Aotearoa New Zealand.

We’re on the hunt for Local Legends, with everyone invited to shine a light on the actions – small or big – that people are doing to make a difference and inspire others.

The theme for this year is He kōtuinga mahi iti, he hua pai-ā rau: Small ripples create big waves.

Nominations for Local Legends can be made through the Bullying-Free NZ website, where teachers and kaiako, and students and tamariki, can also download Action Packs.

Activities have once again been organised in conjunction with Pink Shirt Day on Friday, May 20.

To learn more, go to Bullying-Free NZ Week 2022

Aotearoa is moving from the red traffic light setting to orange from 11.59pm tonight. The next review will be in mid-May.

Key Points:

• At Orange, you can continue to do everyday activities, but we need to protect our vulnerable communities.
• You must wear a face mask in many indoor locations. You do not need to wear a face mask outdoors.
• You can visit cafes and bars, attend gatherings and events, and go to the hairdresser and gym. There are no capacity limits or distancing requirements at venues.
• Workplaces and schools can open.
• To protect yourself, your whānau and your community, keep up healthy habits.

For more information on life at Orange

Coastguard is urging boaties to take a moment to secure their vessels and closely monitor weather conditions as ex-tropical cyclone Fili passes over much of the North Island this week. Metservice are currently warning of coastal floods, heavy rain, gale-force winds reaching up to 100km/h in places and rough sea conditions across much of the North Island. 

Coastguard Head of Operations Rob McCaw: “The ex-tropical cyclone has the potential to impact a large part of the North Island, creating largely unsafe conditions out on the water for the majority of water-users. Best rule of thumb is ‘if in doubt, don’t go out’ and to check your vessel is secure before the storm hits,” he said. 

“Our Coastguard volunteers remain on call 24/7 to provide urgent assistance to those in-need on the water. For on-water assistance call *500 free from your mobile phone or use your local Coastguard VHF channel. For marine emergencies please call 111 or VHF Channel 16.” 

Coastguard advice for ex-tropical cyclone Fili: 

• Regularly check your local marine conditions on both the MetService and the Coastguard app. 
• Before the weather hits, check your vessel is on a reliable and secure mooring. 
• Avoid being at anchor if at all possible. If you’re at sea, ensure you have a plan in place in case conditions worsen, including identifying areas you can seek shelter. 
• Make sure your vessel is weather tight and that your bilge pumps work. 
• Marine conditions can be disrupted for a time after the initial cyclone has passed through. Check your local marine weather forecast before heading back onto the water, if in doubt, don’t go out.

For more information, contact: 
Ben Parsons
Coastguard New Zealand Senior Communications Advisor
ben.parsons@coastguard.nz