Natural Disasters
'We've lost everything': Owners of unsaleable, uninsurable homes in Nelson
It has been a year since severe weather caused flooding and extensive damage across Nelson, but some people are still waiting to learn what will become of their damaged properties. Audio
Some Nelson residents still waiting for a decision on their property a year after floods
A year after flooding and landslides left their homes red-stickered, some Nelson people are still waiting for a decision on the future of their properties.
Thirteen houses in the region can't be… Audio
More than 1000 still missing after Hawaiian wildfires
Recovery crews continue to comb through charred homes and vehicles in Maui, amid expectations the death toll from wildfires there will grow considerably.
The toll last night stood at 99, making it… Audio
Parts of Hawaiian island Maui remain a disaster zone after fire
Parts of the Hawaiian Island of Maui remain a disaster zone as the search for human remains continues. Almost 50,000 residents and tourists have been flown off the island since the deadliest US fire… Video, Audio
NZDF delivers supplies for volcano-affected Bougainville communities
The New Zealand Defence Force says foreign aid sent to Papua New Guinea is being distributed across the region.
Maui wildfire death toll hits 80 as questions raised over warnings
The death toll from the Maui wildfires has risen to 80 as search teams combed through the smoldering ruins of Lahaina.
Thousands evacuated & tourists told to keep out as fire blazes
Tourists are being told to stay away, with thousand of people being evcacuated as the Hawaiian island of Maui burns with out control scrub fires. The blaze has ripped through the historic town of… Video, Audio
Suncorp's NZ profit hit by weather, but life insurance business grows
Australian insurer Suncorp's New Zealand full-year profit fell 30 percent thanks to shocking weather that's hit the country of late.
'Perfect storm' insurance warning to local authorities
An insurance industry adviser has warned of an approaching 'perfect storm' affecting premiums for local authorities.
All Franz Josef flood protection work 'on hold'
All work on the first stage of the Waiho River protection scheme at Franz Josef is now on hold pending a technical review.
Wairarapa DHB had no reason to think hospital building had problems
A former Wairarapa DHB member has told the court how the DHB found out about the seismic defects in Wairarapa Hospital.
Building consents still issued in town facing possible relocation
Franz Josef may not be able to remain in its present site beyond 20 years, so why are authorities still issuing building consents in the area?
Ombudsman calls for 'more trust and empowerment of iwi' after cyclone visit
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is calling on the government and local councils to empower iwi on the back of a visit to cyclone-hit areas.
Cyclone-hit homes buyout: Hawke's Bay mayor expects 'some concerns' from community
Hawke's Bay's five councils must unanimously agree on the government's offer to help buy out cyclone-damaged homes for the proposal to go ahead.
New stop bank may give Franz Josef 20 years
A hearing opened on Friday in Greymouth to try and advance the stalled river protection project.
Rates remission announcement a relief for flood-affected Auckland homeowners
Auckland Council yesterday agreed to reopen the Emergency Relief Fund and increase it by $1 million to enable affected residents' rates to be waived for at least a year. Audio
Tourism operators paid hundreds of thousands to access Whakaari
White Island Tours told a court it paid $500,000 a year for access to Whakaari - and helicopter companies also paid to conduct tours on the island.
European heatwave sees thousands fleeing from wildfires
In Greece wildfires have been burning in Rhodes for six days now and tens of thousands of people have fled villages and resorts on the Greek island.
New blazes have begun in Evia and Corfu as well… Audio
Auckland Council's $4m flood relief fund vastly oversubscribed
Hundreds of applications for Auckland Council's emergency relief fund tallied up to significantly more than the money raised and paid out.
Volcanologist says Whakaari visitor numbers led to 'greater chance' of 'mass casualty event'
A prominent volcanologist giving evidence at the Whakaari White Island trial on Monday said the tour groups to Whakaari were a "societal risk" given the probability of groups being affected by an…