Natural Disasters
Hundreds of firefighters battling Port Hills fire
Hundreds of firefighters are battling to contain the blaze which broke out Wednesday afternoon, seven years to the day of the devastating fires of 2017.
The fire grew from 100 to 630 hectares… Audio
Emergency minister assesses the scale of Christchurch fire
The Emergency Management and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell, was in Christchurch assessing the scale of the Port Hills fire first-hand.
Mark Mitchell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Wildfire scientists determine how Port Hills blaze might spread
Wildfire scientists have taken samples of the soil, moisture and fuel sources near the fire in the Port Hills, to help predict how the blaze might spread.
The Crown research institute for forestry… Audio
Port Hills fire continues to grow
Fire fighters say no homes have been lost in the Port Hills blaze in Christchurch that's forced the evacuation of 80 properties.
The fire covers 630 hectares and has crossed the boundary into the… Audio
Firefighters continue to battle the blaze in Port Hills
Firefighters are continuing to battle the major blaze in the Port Hills.
It's now 630 hectares in size and has a 12 kilometre perimeter.
Reporter Charlotte Cook spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
Fire and Emergency media conference on Port Hills fire
Fire and Emergency's Ben Mosby addressed the public in a media conference on the Port Hills fire in Christchurch.
Audio
Dry conditions expected as fire continues to burn
Another hot and dry day is forecast for Christchurch as the fire in the Port Hills continues to burn.
MetService Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Port Hills: 'the smoke is just growing and growing'
Our reporter Charlotte Cook was half-way up Worsley Road as smoke continued to billow over the Port Hills in Christchurch.
Cook spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss Audio
Christchurch mayor on Port Hills fire
The fire on Christchurch's Port Hills has continued to spread Wednesday night.
On Wednesday evening, Fire and Emergency said it was about 100-hectares in size.
But embers, carried by the strong hot… Audio
Transpower investigates Bromley substation outage
As the fire started raged along the Port Hills yesterday, soot affected the high voltage lines and caused the circuits to trip at the Bromley substation in Christchurch.
The local lines company Orion… Audio
Port Hills fire: 'a sea of properties have been evacuated'
The fire on Christchurch's Port Hills continues to rage Thursday morning.
The blaze, which broke out near the top end of Worsleys Spur road just after 2pm Wednesday, has burnt through 100-hectares of… Audio
Wairoa resident reflects on Cyclone Gabrielle
A Wairoa resident says his community has not lost, but gained, through the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Val Irwin - or Papa Val, as he is known to locals - joined the memorial hīkoi following… Audio
39,000 lost power to Christchurch fire
The fire on Christchurch's Port Hills is burning under the high voltage power lines that connect Ashburton and Christchurch.
Transpower says it thinks a build-up of soot affected transmission… Audio
Port Hills fire continues to rage
The fire on Christchurch's Port Hills continues to rage this morning, fanned by a nor'west wind.
The blaze, which broke out near the top end of Worsleys Spur road just after 2pm yesterday , has burnt… Audio
Port Hills blaze: Selwyn's civil defence controller Murray Washington
Murray Washington gives Nights a recap of the day's developments and says firefighting efforts will continue into the night. Audio
Port Hills blaze: Evacuated residents receive briefing
RNZ reporter Anna Sargent gives Nights the latest from the Halswell Community Centre. Audio
Port Hills blaze: MetService forecast for Christchurch
MetService forecaster Heath Gullery gives Nights an update on the weather over the next few days. Audio
Port Hills blaze: Resident Stu Oldham
Stu Oldham talks to Nights with helicopters flying above his Port Hills home. Audio
Port Hills blaze: Environment Canterbury councillor Deon Swiggs
Deon Swiggs updates Nights on the fire and reflects on the last big fire almost exactly seven years ago. Audio
Port Hills blaze: Scion wildfire scientist Shana Gross
Scion wildfire scientist Shana Gross updates Nights on the conditions in the Port Hills. Audio
