Natural Disasters
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…
Half of Hawke's Bay homes have cyclone damage status downgraded
More than half of Hawke's Bay residents with cyclone-damaged homes have been moved from the higher-risk categories 2 and 3 to the lower-risk category 1.
Emergency flood alert issued near Waimakariri
An emergency flood alert was issued for residents near Tuahiwi in the Waimakariri district last night.
The alert warned further flooding was possible around high tide at 8pm last night, and… Audio
How White Island victims' clothing may have harmed them
As the Whakaari White Island trial continues, concerns have been raised over PPE and how it could protect visitors to the volcano.
Whakaari trial: GNS Science did not consider increased volcanic unrest 'a clear hazard'
A leading volcanologist says on the day of the deadly Whakaari White Island eruption, GNS Science did not consider increased volcanic unrest to be a hazard for people visiting.
Schools shut, roads closed: Wild weather hits Coromandel, again
Flood waters have shut schools, trapped cars and closed roads on the Coromandel as wild weather hit. To add to that, the Whitianga waste water pump station failed, prompting a no flush notice… Video, Audio
Whakaari eruption hard to predict, but there were warning signs - volcanologist
A leading volcanologist says the exact time and day of an eruption cannot be predicted, but volcanic activity had picked up in the months leading to the deadly Whakaari White Island eruption. Dr Gill… Audio
Homeowners forced out by floods to get taxpayer-funded accommodation payments
Owners of homes affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle are set to receive payments towards their temporary accommodation.
