Midday Report for Wednesday 15 February 2023

12:49 PM.The Government is providing an initial four million dollars in funding support for farmers and growers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

It would be used to help support rural communities in regions… Read more Audio

12:45 PM.A body has been found by searchers looking for a missing firefighter under a collapsed house in Muriwai.

It's been more than 24 hours since Dave van Zwananberg went missing beneath the wreckage.

A… Read more Audio

12:42 PM.Tairāwhiti's connections to the outside world are severed - power is patchy, a fibre optic cable is down - affecting Internet and phone services; while many roads and bridges are damaged and unusable.

12:26 PM.Wairoa's mayor Craig Little has made contact, saying the town's been hit by the most catastrophic weather event in living memory. 

He says there's been severe river flooding after the water rose at… Read more Audio

12:13 PM.Evacuations continue in Hawke's Bay.

Six army trucks have arrived at the Hastings Sports Centres full of rescued people.

RNZ's reporter on the ground Lauren Crimp told Max Towle there were about 90… Read more Audio

12:12 PM.The devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle is becoming clearer, but there are communities that are still isolated.

Two have died in Hawke's Bay, and Fire and Emergency has confirmed a body has been found… Read more Audio