The mother of the missing Marokopa children was in court on a driving charge just hours after her former husband Tom Phillips was shot dead, and while police were searching for the remaining children.

A cold and windy weekend could be on the way for parts of the South, as snow, gale force winds and possibly tornadoes are forecast to hit tomorrow.

Timaru Boys’ High School has been closed for the day following an "anonymous" email threat.

The head of the police union says a Stuff story police are considering taking legal action against features "crucial evidence" for investigations into the Tom Phillips case.