Natural Disasters
Hawke's Bay Regional Council mulls review of flood protection during cyclone
Hawke's Bay Regional Council is considering a proposal for an independent review of how its flood protection schemes stood up during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Red Cross defends pace of donation spending in wake of cyclone and floods
The organisation wants to avoid repeating mistakes it made following the Christchurch earthquake.
Big quake strikes Kermadec Islands region, no tsunami threat for NZ
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kermadec Islands region near New Zealand on Monday, the United States Geological Survey says.
Cyclone-hit brewery 'back on the horse'
An Eskdale brewer who lost everything in Cyclone Gabrielle has made a new beer to raise money for the community.
Hawke's Bay Civil Defence restructure underway when cyclone hit
A new review was announced this week, but one from 18 months ago had already identified significant problems.
How we plan for New Zealand's next big disaster
We're a country prone to natural disasters - but are some areas better prepared than others? Audio
A week later, Auckland Council chief fronts up on flood review
Jim Stabback has broken his silence a week on from the release of a damning flood review. Audio
Compensating poorer countries for climate damage: How do we crunch the numbers?
Opinion - Extreme weather events are complex and working out exactly how much damage climate change caused is a tricky task, write climate science experts.
'High' risk of Gisborne pipe failure found before cyclone - Report
Gisborne's main water supply pipe was identified as at unacceptable risk of catastrophic failure months before Cyclone Gabrielle smashed it. Audio
Ombudsman preparing for increase in complaints following cyclone
The Chief Ombudsman says he expects a rise in complaints on the back of extreme weather events, but it could take some time for frustration to boil over into a noticeable spike.
'Little evidence' cyclone wood debris was slash in Hawke's Bay
Pine made up the majority of wood debris left behind after Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay, but very little of it was "slash", a council survey has found.
The Pre-Panel with Julie Woods and Mark Knoff-Thomas
Wallace and panellists Julie Woods and Mark Knoff Thomas talk about the severe weather around Kāpiti Coast. Audio
How tornadoes are formed and what unfolded in Auckland
Analysis - Thunderstorm cells over Auckland were lined up in such a way that they fed into each other and kept each other going - leaving damage in its wake.
'I did get quite emotional and overwhelmed about the strength of the people'
My Cyclone Gabrielle - Filmmaker Kim Webby travels to Ruatoria to find a community helping each other but when it appears help is going to larger districts, residents fear they will be forgotten.
'More rats than they have seen' - Cyclone-damaged areas face rodent plague
As cyclone-hit communities rebuild their lives, pests have been making the most of the chaos, destruction and abandoned homes.
Proposed Westport flood scheme may be changed
The eastern alignment of the ring bank for the proposed Westport flood scheme needs to be changed, even though the design for the $56 million flood package is already sitting with Cabinet awaiting…
Cyclone damage forces Bremworth to outsource some production processes
The carpet company says its Napier yarn-spinning plant is expected to be offline for a significant amount of time.
Avondale Christchurch residents fed up with floods
Residents in the Christchurch suburb of Avondale are filled with dread whenever they see a weather forecast for rain.
People in Newport Street and Tenby Place say when it starts raining they fear… Audio
Woodville-Hastings rail freight line reopens after months of disruptions
Staying with the after effects of cyclone Gabrielle, freight can once again be moved by rail between Woodville and Hastings after months of disruption.
That section of the line, which reopens today… Audio
Concerns about companies looking to buy up cyclone-damaged homes
Property experts are warning owners of flood-damaged homes in Hawke's Bay to take care when dealing with investment companies wanting to snap up their houses.
