Natural Disasters
Auckland deputy mayor on mayor's forwarded emails calling councillors 'dip shits'
The government's at-least $1 billion buyout scheme for flood ruined homes has left councils scratching their heads about how much of tab they'll be picking up, and where the cash is coming from.
The… Video, Audio
Wairoa mayor says town will struggle to pay for flood protection
Craig Little fears even with government assistance, borrowing will be needed.
Tsunami
Join us for a weekly round-up of the news! Plus in our explainer this week we find out more about tsunamis. Audio
'Many details still to be settled' - local politicians react to govt buyout news
News of a joint buyout scheme for those affected by extreme weather has been met with relief by local politicians, but they say the work is just beginning and the devil will be in the detail. Audio
Kiwi research makes predicting river course changes, thanks to quakes, possible
When the Waiau Toa started flowing again after the Kaikōura earthquake, it had a new course.
Wanganui River bank protection 'urgent'
Work to bolster stopbanks on the south bank of the Wanganui River at Hari Hari "needs doing urgently".
Who pays for millions in cyclone emergency efforts?
A stoush between a Hawke's Bay council and the National Emergency Management Agency over who pays for some Cyclone Gabrielle costs could leave ratepayers with a hefty bill. Audio
Ongoing questions on telecommunications resilience unanswered
Analysis - Hawke's Bay dodged a much worse cellphone and internet blackout in Cyclone Gabrielle when fuel supplies ran critically low, papers show. Audio
Auckland Council in talks on moving some roads to safer ground
Auckland Council is in talks with the government about moving some roads to safer ground, the supercity's deputy mayor says. Audio
'Hard lessons we need to learn' - Stormwater conference faces harsh climate reality
A dour mood hung above this year's Stormwater New Zealand Conference, as attendees reflected on months of flooding and severe weather.
Damaging weather events leads to loss for Tower insurance
A surge in claims for major weather events in New Zealand and Vanuatu has resulted in a first half loss for insurance company Tower.
Tairāwhiti iwi will house 100 cyclone-hit families this winter
A group of six Tairāwhiti iwi is promising to house 100 cyclone-hit families by winter.
Toitū Tairawhiti Housing has been providing affordable homes for the region and eastern Bay of Plenty since… Audio
Whanganui residents warned of more slips to come
Whanganui residents are being warned of the risk of more slips because the land remains saturated after flooding.
About 20 people were evacuated from Putiki, a low-lying area next to Whanganui… Audio
3D aerial maps helping with cyclone rebuild
Waikato Regional Council has released the first of its new online 3D aerial maps, saying they are a gamechanger.
Stratford landmarks declared earthquake-prone
Three prominent council-owned buildings in Stratford have been issued with earthquake-prone building notices.
Fears East Coast mental health services will be swamped by cyclone stress
Advocates warn mental health services will not be able to cope with the rising tide of post-cyclone trauma.
Weaknesses in Waka Kotahi's crisis response strategies exposed
Until recently Waka Kotahi was not factoring climate change and the need for resilience into many of its transport projects.
Myanmar Rohingya Muslims killed by Cyclone Mocha - reports
A large number of Rohingya Muslims were killed in Myanmar when Cyclone Mocha struck at the weekend, residents, a relief group and a media outlet said.
'Hope is fading': Temporary homes hold-up puts hundreds in precarious situation
More than 300 households whose properties were wrecked by flooding earlier this year are still waiting for a temporary home - or are in limbo about whether they will need one.
Nelson weighs up cost of mitigating future flood damage
Nine months on, as Nelson recovers from the devastating August floods, the full extent of slip damage across the region is becoming clearer. Audio