Natural Disasters
The Pre-Panel for 22 October 2025
The Pre-Panel with Wallace Chapman, producer Tom Riste-Smith and Jesse Mulligan. Audio
How do you prepare for the forecasted wild winds?
If you thought yesterday's wind was bad, with gusts well over 110Km/h in parts of the country, well brace yourselves for tomorrow. The MetService says winds could reach up to 150 km an hour, issuing… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 21 October 2025
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins spoke to Morning Report; Reaction to Labour's Future Fund announcement; Auckland Transport brings back Pothole Promise; How prepared are we for a volcanic eruption… Audio
What makes Ruapehu tick - and boom?
How to predict when Ruapehu might next erupt is an important, but difficult, question. A group of researchers thought: why not recreate the volcano in a lab?
Disbelief over no centralised emergency platform during Cyclone Gabrielle
A former Civil Defence controller told an inquest that the Christchurch earthquakes had shown the need for the platform.
'I live with it everyday': Officer emotional recalling Whakaari/White Island tragedy
Police officer Sergeant Russell Owen, was at times close to tears as he recollected the events of 9 December 2019, where 22 people died and 25 others were injured.
Cyclone Gabrielle inquest: Possible Esk River mouth blockage in spotlight
Council hydrologist Craig Goodier was cross-examined over whether logs or concrete may have blocked the waterway.
Emergency response time to White Island eruption questioned
The coronial inquest also heard police did not follow the prepared eruption response plan in 2019.
Cyclone Gabrielle: Hydrologist took two hours to tell Civil Defence about equipment failure
Hawke's Bay Regional Council's flood forecaster has been questioned about whether his language about the flood risk accurately conveyed the urgency and threat to life. Audio
Questions over Cyclone Gabrielle alert delays at inquest
The person in charge of flood forecasting during Cyclone Gabrielle can't explain why it took two hours to alert Civil Defence that river level monitoring equipment wasn't working. Tairawhiti Hawke's… Audio
Pike River film premieres in Greymouth
The Pike River film has had its New Zealand premier at the Regent Theatre in Greymouth. Samantha Gee reports. Audio
Cyclone Gabrielle: The extent of communication between MetService and Regional Council
An inquest is underway into the deaths of 13 people in relation to the 2023 cyclone.
Soil may hold the answer to stormwater solutions
An expert in water-sensitive design urges us to think harder about what lies beneath our feet
Stormwater solutions lying in the soil
An expert in water-sensitive design urges us to think harder about what lies beneath our feet. Audio
What's missing from new quake plans?
One expert says the government's changes on earthquake-prone buildings are more about saving money than lives - but there's some sensible stuff in there.
What's missing from new earthquake plans
One expert says the government's changes on earthquake-prone buildings are more about saving money than lives - but there's some sensible stuff in there Audio
Whakaari/White Island coronial inquiry set to begin
The first phase of the inquiry will commence in Whakatāne today, nearly six years after the fatal 2019 eruption.
Philippines quake kills dozens as injured overwhelm hospitals
The earthquake that struck off the coast of Cebu City led to power outages and damaged buildings in the region.
Class action lawsuit lodged against Hawke's Bay Regional Council
A class action lawsuit is being lodged against Hawke's Bay Regional Council this week, alleging incompetence led to 400 properties and businesses flooding in Wairoa last year. Tairawhiti Hawke's Bay… Audio
Change in earthquake-prone building rules provides hope for Chateau Tongariro
There could be fresh hope for the future of the iconic Chateau Tongariro, following a major government shake-up of earthquake-prone building rules. Ruapehu District mayor Weston Kirton spoke to Corin… Audio
