Andrew Mc Rae

The heavy rain that hit the Tairāwhiti region over the past two days is moving south towards Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa. 

There are no reports of the rain causing any major problems or damage at this… Audio

A state of local emergency is still in place for Tairāwhiti, after two days of torrential rainfall flooded large areas of the district.

Families again had to evacuate in the middle of the night.

… Audio

The severe weather warning has now been lifted for the Gisborne district and the rain has eased, so the cleanup can begin.

Reporter Andrew McRae, who's driven west of Gisborne on State Highway 2 and… Audio

It has been another big night in Gisborne, with further heavy rain after Wednesday's flooding. RNZ reporter Andrew McRae has been on the road south of Gisborne, and spoke to Corin Dann from the banks… Audio

Raging rivers across Tairāwhiti have prompted further evacuations overnight.

Civil Defence has issued a fresh flood warning and Waka Kotahi is urging people to stay home and avoid using the roads.

… Audio

The four-week long war in Ukraine continues, but Russian troops appear to have stalled in their advance on cities including the capital, Kyiv.

In Mariupol, the only city to fall so far, rescue work… Audio

Joe Biden has labelled Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal' as the Russian leader continues his brutal invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin has responded calling the it 'unforgiveable rhetoric'.

Meanwhile… Audio

There's a glimmer of hope for peace in Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conceded NATO membership is unlikely for his country.

He says peace talks with Russia are beginning to "sound more… Audio

Russia has reportedly turned to China for military help and economic relief - as sanctions bear down and its invasion of Ukraine continues.

Meanwhile a Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military… Audio

Apocalyptic conditions - that's how aid agencies are describing what the people of the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol are now facing as the invasion of the country enters its third week.

With… Audio

Ukraine's President has accused Russia of committing a war crime by bombing a maternity and children's hospital in the besieged city of Mariupol.

Ukraine says the bombing happened during an agreed… Video, Audio

Fierce fighting has erupted around Europe's largest nuclear power plant - and fire has broken out this afternoon.

Russian forces have been shelling the plant, in southern Ukraine.

President… Audio

An intense bombardment is continuing in Ukraine's second largest city as Russia intensifies its attack trying to tighten its grip on the country.

Kharkiv, has suffered heavy shelling and the city… Video, Audio

Extreme and horrific images of child sexual exploitation on a scale never seen before.

The result of a worldwide investigation, led by New Zealand, which has netted hundreds of people involved in the… Audio

The darkest chapter for the Catholic Church in this country, a place of horrendous child sexual abuse, a sanctioned brothel and a haven for criminals.

These are just some of the ways victims have… Audio

Catholic Archbishop Paul Martin has accepted that survivors of abuse want the Church to take responsibility and not just leave it to a particular Order that may have been involved.

He made the… Audio