Emergency Services
Firefighters warn to check smoke alarms for daylight saving
Fire and Emergency is reminding people to check their smoke alarms at home, as daylight saving begins around the country.
Southland in state of emergency following heavy rain
The Southland region also remains in a state of emergency, following the heavy rain.
Tuatapere's water treatment plant is back up and running with the help of generators, though people in the… Audio
Queenstown records wettest day in 24 years
NIWA says Queenstown has had its wettest day in 24 years, with 87 millimetres of rain falling in the past 24 hours.
The drenching has prompted a state of emergency in the tourist town, with more than… Audio
Rainfall brings relief for firefighters in Mackenzie Country
Rainfall overnight has caused relief for firefighters battling multiple blazes in the Mackenzie Country.
The first fire broke out at Pūkaki Downs on Wednesday night and a second started Thursday near… Audio
Large slip closes Queenstown primary school
A Queenstown Primary School is closed Friday after a large slip came down behind it.
Principal Fiona Cavanagh spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Queenstown flooding closes a number of schools and businesses
A number of businesses and schools in Queenstown have been told not to open Friday morning due to debris flowing through the centre of town.
The town is in a local state of emergency, with 41 homes… Audio
Firefighters hoping wet conditions help contain wildfire
Firefighters were hoping overnight conditions would help them contain two large fires they've been battling in the Mackenzie Country region.
On Thursday night a convoy of about 50 vehicles -… Audio
Rivers continue to rise in Southland
Civil Defence is keeping a close eye on rising river levels.
Tuatapere ran out of water overnight after flooding damaged the treatment plant.
The Mataura River in Gore is contained at this stage… Audio
Rivers still rising in Gore as rain eases
Gore remains in a state of emergency Friday morning, after Thursday's heavy rain and widespread flooding.
Despite the rain easing, some river levels are still rising.
The District Council says the… Audio
Towns across the deep south face substantial floods
Towns right across the bottom of the South Island are dealing with significant flooding this morning.
A regional state of emergency was declared at six-o'clock Thursday night after more than a dozen… Audio
People evacuated in Queenstown as torrential rain lashes town
In Queenstown torrential rain causing landslips and flooding has forced some people to evacuate their properties.
That includes four properties on Reavers Lane where residents were advised to leave… Audio
State of emergency declared in Southland
Southlanders have been on high alert for more flooding Thursday night, after more than a dozen Southland rivers set off warnings.
A heavy band of rain is slowly moving up the country, saturating the… Audio
Watch: Pukaki Downs fire 'unprecedented' - FENZ
The Pukaki Downs blaze has been unpredictable and a "very difficult fire to fight", controller Stephen Butler says.
High winds force several helicopters fighting Twizel fire to be grounded
Fire and Emergency says high winds have forced half of its helicopter fleet to be grounded as a wildfire near Twizel grows. Audio
Pūkaki scrub fire growing as strong winds fan flames
A local resident says the large scrub fire at Pūkaki Downs is getting larger and winds are getting stronger, as firefighters continue to battle the blaze.
Seven helicopters with monsoon buckets are… Audio
Fire crews battling blaze north of Twizel
Crews are working to battle a kilometre-long wildfire which broke out last night just north of Twizel.
Six properties have been evacuated and some residents have chosen to leave since the fire broke… Audio
Winds create issues for firefighters battling wildfire in South Island
Residents at Lake Pūkaki in the South Island are waking up to billows of smoke Thursday morning as an enormous wildfire burns north of Twizel.
The blaze broke out just before eight o'clock Wednesday… Audio
Houses evacuated as winds fan large blaze near Twizel
Fire and Emergency crews are attending to a large fire at Pukaki Downs, north of Twizel.
Helicopters sent to help troubled rescue helicopter in Waikato
A rescue helicopter found itself in need of rescue in the Waikato region on Wednesday.
Driver charged after 18-year-old killed after vehicle flees police
A teenager involved in a crash that killed an 18-year-old this morning has been charged with dangerous driving causing death.