Natural Disasters
Homeowners wrestle with unsettled quake claims 11 years on
On the 11th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake, a lawyer dealing with outstanding insurance claims says the city still has a long way to go.
Strong 5.6 magnitude earthquake near Blenheim
The magnitude 5.6 earthquake near Blenheim was recorded about 4.06 pm by GeoNet.
Forecasting earthquakes - can we better predict ground shaking?
An earthquake engineering expert wants to change the way we predict how the ground will shake during an earthquake. Professor Brendon Bradley from the University of Canterbury is the recipient of a… Audio
Buller resident on evacuation, flood threat
A state of emergency is in place in Westport for the second time in a week.
As the floodwaters rise in the west coast, dozens of residents have had to evacuate.
One of them is Jenny Thomas, who's… Audio
Weather: Another state of emergency declared in Westport
A state of emergency is once again in place in and around Westport - and evacuations are underway for the second time in a week.
A high tide is due at 7pm and residents are being told to get to… Video, Audio
New flood system in Buller would give 8 hours advanced evacuation warning
The final piece of equipment for a new flood monitoring system is now in place in Buller River.
Rebuilding Tonga: Four key lessons from Fiji after Cyclone Winston
Analysis - Fiji built resilient, future-proofed houses after Cyclone Winston. For Tonga, the Fijian experience offers the opportunity to apply what was learnt.
Covering Tonga’s eruption - without communications
That epic undersea eruption in Tonga was heard around the region - and recorded and analysed in minute detail, even from space. But a comprehensive communications wipeout cut reporters off from… Video, Audio
Tonga starting to recover after volcano, tsunami - Red Cross
The Red Cross says Tonga is on the road to recovery two weeks after a volcanic eruption and tsunami devastated the Pacific nation.
Staff and volunteers are delivering drinking water, temporary… Audio
Council, port help Tongan families in Otago ship food supplies
The Dunedin City Council and Port Otago have stepped up to ensure the city's Tongan community can send supplies to families impacted by this month's volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Heilala vanilla raises $140k for Tonga
A New Zealand company has raised more than $142,000 - and counting - for Tonga.
The original goal was to raise $100,000, but thanks to nearly 900 donors that target has been exceeded.
Heilala… Audio
Jenny Salesa on Auckland aid for Tonga
The Australian Navy plans to go ahead with delivering relief to Tonga after reports that 23 people on board its ship HMAS Adelaide have tested positive for Covid-19.
It says it is confident it can… Audio
Pacific roundup: Samoa lockdown and Tonga recovery
Aid is arriving in Tonga following the volcanic eruption and tsunami more than a week ago.
Meanwhile, Samoa is extending its Covid lockdown after border staff contracted the virus.
RNZ Pacific… Audio
Ash in Tonga like 'thick black snow'
With no rain, Tonga is still blanketed in ash, which some on the ground have described as being like "thick black snow".
Katie Greenwood, from the International Federation of the Red Cross says the… Audio
Tonga eruption: World Bank contributes $12 million in aid
The World Bank has given about $12 million New Zealand dollars to Tonga, following the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami nine days ago.
About 85 percent of the population has been affected… Audio
HMNZS Aotearoa arrives in Tonga
New Zealand Navy's largest vessel the HMNZS Aotearoa is currently in Tonga to help with relief efforts.
The ship carrying 250,000 litres of water, life-saving essentials and desalination equipment… Audio
Eight days since Tonga eruption and tsunami
It's now been eight days since Tonga's volcanic eruption and tsunami, and the island nation faces a long road to recovery.
Almost 85 percent of the country's population of about 105,000 people has… Audio
Shipping containers urgently needed for Tonga relief
More shipping containers are urgently needed thanks to an overwhelming response from the Tongan community to a donation drive at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.
MP for Panmure-Otahuhu and co-chair of… Audio
Police have no plans to move Franz Josef station, despite mayor's plea
New Zealand police say there are no plans to move the Franz Josef station, despite prompting by the Westland mayor who is concerned about the earthquake risk.
Tongan eruption: 85% of the population impacted - government
Tonga faces a long road to recovery, with most of the population affected by the violent eruption and tsunami that followed, and many areas still scrambling to restore basic necessities.
