Natural Disasters
Watch: Port Hills state of emergency lifted
Authorities say they will move to the "recovery phase" shortly.
Port Hills fire forces cancellation of Crankworx Summer Series
"Extensive damage to the courses and ongoing safety concerns on the site" make it impossible for the event to go ahead, organisers say.
Cyclone-wrecked homeowners score victory
Applause greeted a council decision not to charge owners for demolition of cyclone-wrecked homes.
Cyclone Gabrielle taskforce to be scrapped - Mitchell
The taskforce's duties will be transferred to the Cyclone Recovery Unit, Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell says.
Port Hills blaze causes 'huge angst' for community
The cause of Christchurch's Port Hills fire is yet to be determined, but police say residents have come forward with good information for the investigation. Audio
People seen walking on track before Port Hills fire
Police have spoken to people seen on a walking track in the Hoon Hay Valley moments before the fire broke out on Christchurch's Port Hills, almost a week ago.
The cause of the fire is not yet known… Audio
Residents on edge as Canterbury fires continue burning
The fire is contained in Waikari Valley, but while residents of the nearby North Canterbury town of Waipara are back home, they remain on high alert.
The 300-hectare scrub fire broke out on Sunday… Audio
Firefighters still tackling multiple fires in Canterbury
Firefighters are still wrestling with two major bushfires in Canterbury.
Fire and Emergency says about ninety firefighters are still working to extinguish a fire on Port Hills in Christchurch.
And… Audio
Student radio station tower destroyed in Port Hills blaze
Alternative radio station RDU had its transmission tower on Marley's Hill burnt to a crisp in the 650-hectare fire. Audio
Whakaari White Island: WorkSafe may have cast its net too wide, legal expert says
A legal expert says "complacency" within WorkSafe prevented the agency from achieving a better result during the Whakaari/White Island trial.
Firefighters battling two fires in Canterbury
Hot, windy conditions are forecast in Canterbury on Monday, pushing up the fire danger, as firefighters continue to battle two fires.
As crews work to dampen down hotspots in Christchurch's Port… Audio
Port Hills residents call for plantation forestry ban
A Port Hills resident who suffered fire damage to his home seven years ago says plantation forestry is becoming too dangerous in the area.
Firefighters continue to toil round-the-clock in an effort… Audio
Reporter at the scene of Waipara scrub fire
Fire crews are continuing to battle a scrub fire in north Canterbury.
The fire service was alerted to the blaze around 8pm last night.
Hurunui Civil Defence opened up an evacuation centre at the… Audio
Strong winds cause concern for Canterbury fires
Nor-westerly winds are expected in Canterbury today as firefighters work frantically to put out fires across the region.
As we've been reporting this morning, a large fire is now burning in Waikari… Audio
Worsening cyclones prompt experts to explore new alert levels
Researchers are looking at a new wind speed warning category for tropical cyclones, because they're getting stronger with global heating.
New Zealand's most damaging storms tend to start as tropical… Audio
Crews battle scrub fire in Waipara
Properties near Waipara, in North Canterbury were evacuated overnight due to a large fire.
An evacuation centre was set up at the Waipara Hall.
Fifteen crews, alongside a bulldozer, fought the fire… Audio
Evacuations from scrub fire in North Canterbury
Fire crews are fighting a large scrub fire in North Canterbury.
Some residents in Waipara area have been evacuated. The affected areas included Waikari Valley Road, Shell Rock Road, and Glenmark… Audio
Economic boost for Coromandel with SH 25A reopening early
The early reopening of the cyclone-ravaged State Highway 25A on the Coromandel Peninsula increased GDP in the region by almost $86 million.
That's according to a new report out by Infrastructure New… Audio
Port Hills residents focus on improving firebreaks
Residents affected by the Port Hills fire are working to improve fire resilience around their properties as the blaze continues in Christchurch, five days on.
Cyclone Gabrielle anniversary: Inside the emergency response
A year after Cyclone Gabrielle smashed through Hawke's Bay civil defence controller Ian Macdonald talked to RNZ's Hawke's Bay reporter about the biggest emergency response of his career.