Natural Disasters
Law firm calls for permanent natural disaster recovery unit
As weather events become more frequent and severe, the case for a specialised, ready-to-go disaster response agency with statutory powers should be considered, law firm Chapman Tripp says.
Hundreds of Wairoa homes still devastated by Cyclone
It's been three months since the Wairoa river burst its banks, the morning after the downpour caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Hundreds of homes remain damp and dirty, families are still displaced, and… Audio
Police pause search for student at Abbey Caves overnight
In Whangārei police have announced they have suspended the search for a Whangārei Boys High school student still unaccounted for after a school excursion to nearby Abbey Caves. Seventeen people were… Video, Audio
'We've lost our freedom' - West Auckland family flooded again
West Auckland residents are dealing with yet another severe event, with some residents forced to leave their homes again, because of flooding.
Our reporter Louise Ternouth is there and joins us now.
…West Auckland Is Flooding advocate on yet another deluge
Amrita Aujla's house was inundated in the Auckland Anniverary weekend floods and her west Auckland neghbourhood has been hit again today.
She's also part of the advocay group for affect residents -… Video, Audio
Latest from near Abbey Caves in Whangārei
Police have cordoned off the road near the Abbey Caves in Whangārei. Checkpoint reporter Tom Taylor is there with the details. Audio
Whangārei resident near Abbey Caves describes scene
One student remains missing tonight after an outdoor education class from Whangārei Boys High school became trapped in nearby Abbey Caves during an excursion this morning.
A Whangārei resident lives… Audio
Auckland Deputy Mayor on severe weather flooding city
Auckland remains under a state of emergency following flash flooding. Mayor Wayne Brown is in Sydney.
He made the declaration remotely and has delegated his powers to Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson. She… Video, Audio
Safety of Muriwai drains, infrastructure questioned after landslides
Poor design and maintenance of drains is the main reason behind the extent of damage caused by recent weather events, Muriwai residents on Auckland's west coast say.
Muriwai residents fed up with weather damage
Muriwai residents on Auckland's west coast say poor design and maintenance of drains is the main reason behind damage caused by recent storms.
In February, the combined impact of the Auckland… Audio
Fears new coastal hazard modelling will stymie Greymouth redevelopment
Greymouth Joint Floodwall Committee members are worried dire coastal hazard mapping done for the Te Tai o Poutini Plan could hinder land and building development in the area.
Surfers rejoice: Piha reopens to public
Popular Auckland surf beach Piha, closed to the general public for the two-and-a-half months since Cyclone Gabrielle, is now back open, to the relief of many eager surfers. Audio
Flood-affected Aucklanders beg council to clean streams, mayor tells them it'll cost
"People who live in areas that don't flood aren't feeling quite so worried about this as you are," Wayne Brown told them.
Hawke's Bay needs more financial assistance or faces ruin - report
The region will suffer economic losses up to $3.5 billion over the next decade unless more support comes soon, a new report claims.
Highway between Hamilton and Raglan ready to reopen
A damaged section of State Highway 23 was officially opened today, but traffic will not be able to use it for a few weeks.
AK flood damaged properties assessed on 3 categories
Properties affected by the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle will be assesed based on three categories that the government announced on Monday. Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant… Audio
Fibre hanging in the trees: How telcos are reconnecting Hawke's Bay and Tai Rāwhiti
Telecommunications companies say it's still a "very fragile" situation, and long-term fixes need to be found.
Hawke's Bay Civil Defence cyclone response ends after 77 days
Hawke's Bay's Civil Defence response to Cyclone Gabrielle has come to an end, but locals say the government has been silent on rebuilding in parts of the region.
Scale of 2022 Tonga eruption leads to rethink on underwater volcanoes
A new report states the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano last year was more powerful than the largest US nuclear test.
Geotech engineers shortage hampers Aucklanders' cyclone insurance claims
Muriwai residents with red-stickered houses want a timeframe for resolution, many fearing their insurance cover will run out before the council completes geotechnical assessments.
