News
Supplies flown in after 'huge' slip cuts off homes
A handful of homes in the Motueka Valley are awaiting a second drop of supplies by helicopter, after their road access was cut off in the second of two devastating floods to hit the Tasman district.
Nelson Hospital review dismissed as a 'plan to make a plan'
Persistent delays in recruiting medical staff has been compounded by ageing infrastructure and increasing demand for services, a review of the hospital has found.
Iwi support name change for South Island village
The Geographic Board confirmed it has received a name change proposal but says more community consultation is needed before it can go further.
Decision on additional Tasman flood funds not yet made - PM
But news that a rain radar for the top of the South Island will be funded by MetService has been welcomed.
'Disaster soup': Kaiteriteri campground flood victims count cost of damage
Marguerite Besier and Roger Croft had to be rescued from their caravan by a frontend loader.
Families still isolated in parts of Motueka Valley after floods
About 28 families were cut off in parts of the Motueka Valley where damaged roads were impassable and could remain so for several months, Tasman District Council says. Video
Govt launches $500k support package for flood-hit farmers
Tasman's mayor warned the total repair bill from the back-to-back floods was likely to exceed $100 million.
Clean up continues for Tasman District in wake of flooding
Residents are scrubbing mud off their driveways and retrieving items which floated away during two flooding events in recent weeks.
Man who held woman hostage at gunpoint for 15hrs jailed
Phillip Mant kidnapped the woman for 15 hours, forcing the lockdown of a nearby hospital and four schools.
Civil defence meeting held after biggest flood in Ngātīmoti since 1877
"It's the things that have no monetary value, the family photo album that got soaked, or the pet dog or cat or horse or whatever that didn't make it through."
Worst in almost 150 years: Nelson Tasman counts cost of historic floods
Civil defence has confirmed this week's downpours have matched the devastating 1877 deluge. Audio
'Hitting home': Tasman begins to regroup after Motupiko River bursts banks
Across the sodden Tasman district, with rain still falling, the clean-up continues. Almost every winter, a flood hits Quinney's Bush Camp, with the Motupiko River spilling into the back of...
'Delightful': Flood-stricken Motueka residents get warm after power restored
Motueka residents relied on generators and neighbourly generosity to get through flooding that tore down power poles near their homes.
Weary Tasman residents brace for fresh barrage of rain
Exhausted residents in the waterlogged Tasman district are on edge as they brace for another lashing of heavy rain.
'Nothing you can do about it': couple's property surrounded by water
Pouesi and Hilary Fitisemanu, who live by the Motueka River, were ready for the weather, but the rain came thick and fast.
State of emergency declared for part of Marlborough as severe weather lashes South Island
Emergency services are taking a precautionary approach due to the risk posed by cracks in stopbanks protecting the township from the Wairau River. Audio
Prison fuel leak: 23 properties unable to use bore water
Twenty-three properties around Christchurch Men's Prison are unable to drink water from their private bores, a month after a fuel leak was discovered, Corrections has confirmed.
Hospital ditches coal in favour of landfill gas
Nelson Hospital is not burning coal this winter for the first time since the late 1800s.
'Dumb decision' to increase Nelson highway speed limit reversed
Part of SH6 will remain at 60km/h after a campaign against the government rollback of speed limit reductions.
'Beyond capacity': Three-bedroom house used as ambulance station
Nelson Hato Hone St John staff are split across four stations and are unable to properly debrief after sometimes traumatic call-outs.
Nelson's deputy mayor rules out running for next election
But Rohan O'Neill-Stevens says he hasn't ruled out a return to local politics in the future.
Bore water clear following diesel spill, but experts remain cautious
About 14,000 litres of diesel leached into the ground at the prison in May after the hatch of a fuel tank was left open.
Aratere should not retire, despite breakdown, says union
A propulsion fault meant the ferry had to wait at anchor for hours in Queen Charlotte Sound overnight while a specialist electrician fixed the problem.
Fuel tank left open caused large diesel spill at Christchurch prison
About 14,000 litres of diesel has leached into the ground at Christchurch Men's Prison, after the hatch of a fuel tank was left open.
Blenheim man sent to prison after violently murdering mother in argument
A man who snapped during an argument with his mother over dinner and used a crowbar and a knife to kill her before handing himself into police has been sentenced to life in prison.
