Natural Disasters
Tonga eruption: what can NZ learn about its volcanoes?
The Tonga eruption has blanketed swathes of the Pacific nation's islands in volcanic ash.
Experts in New Zealand are taking note, to see what they can learn about the risks in Aotearoa.
The Auckland… Audio
Comms to Tonga still poor, families' anxious wait for news
The extent of the devastation in Tonga is becoming clearer, with aerial photographs taken by the New Zealand Defence Force showing some of the utter devastation on islands.
Tongans living in New… Audio
Devastation in Tonga revealed in aerial photos
The extent of the devastation in Tonga is becoming clearer, with aerial photographs taken by the New Zealand Defence Force showing some of the utter devastation on islands.
The Tongan government has… Audio
Aid agencies prepare for Tonga disaster relief
Aid agencies are at the ready to help disaster-hit Tonga, but downed communications are slowing the relief response.
It's delaying what experts say will be an intensive cleanup after Saturday's… Audio
Tonga's Parliamentary speaker stuck in NZ awaiting news
Tongans in New Zealand are anxiously waiting for news from the islands following Saturday's volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Communication links are still down and could remain that way for weeks.
… Audio
Tonga eruption: three dead, others injured, NZ sends aid
Three people have been confirmed dead in Tonga following Saturday's volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami, as aerial images show catastrophic damage to the island of Mango in the outlying Ha'apai… Audio
These two ingredients turned the Tonga eruption into a catastrophic explosion
The volcanic eruption in Tonga on Saturday was massive. Here's what we know about why it was so big, whether it's going to erupt again soon, and if there are others we should be keeping an eye on.
Tongans in NZ await for news from families as communication still cut
Tongans in New Zealand, who have been endlessly trying to reach family and friends back home, are worried about how their loved ones are getting by.
Tonga - ashfall affecting food, water, agriculture
Soon after Saturday's eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, the sky was blocked out and ash began to fall.
Early photos from Tonga show cars, roads and streets blanketed in debris.
Ashfall from… Audio
Tonga eruption could create unusual sunsets, affect climate
A climate scientist says volcanic matter from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai eruption could create unusual sunsets, once it's spread around the stratosphere.
It could also have a radiative effect… Audio
Damage remains unclear in Tonga
The extent of the damage and need in Tonga following the weekend's eruption and tsunami remains unclear, as the Defence Force prepares to send aid to the islands.
With most communication links to the… Audio
Tongans worldwide rally to assist homeland
New Zealand is preparing to send a Hercules with aid to Tonga today - provided it is safe.
The scale of the damage and need in the Pacific nation is still not clear, following Saturday's eruption of… Audio
Anxious wait for news from family and friends in Tonga
New Zealanders with whanau and friends in Tonga are anxiously waiting for communication to be restored after the violent eruption.
The lack of news has left many in a state of limbo.
Kim Moodie… Audio
NZ prepares to send Hercules to Tonga with aid
New Zealand is preparing to send a Hercules with aid to Tonga today - provided it is safe.
The scale of the damage and need in the Pacific nation is still not clear, following Saturday's eruption of… Audio
Significant damage on Tonga's west coast - NZ High Commission
There is significant damage to the western coast of Tonga's main island of Tongatapu.
Tonga's undersea cable could take weeks to repair
It could be weeks before Tonga's crucial undersea cable - which connects it to the world - is back online.
Tongans in NZ anxiously await news from home: 'It's painful, you just feel hopeless'
Tongans in New Zealand have been praying for their Pacific Island families, as they endure an agonising wait for news from relatives cut off from the world.
Northland boat owners furious no tsunami warnings
Some Northland boat owners are furious there were no tsunami siren warnings or texts before large waves smashed into the Tūtūkākā marina, sinking a number of boats on Saturday evening.
But there are… Audio
Tonga: Labour MP hears the latest from Ha'apai main island
The tense wait for information from Tonga's islands continues, following the volcanic eruption and tsunami at the weekend.
The Labour MP for Panmure-Otahuhu, Jenny Salesa, joined a zoom call with… Audio
Tonga's volcanic eruption rare and unusual
An expert says the volcanic eruption in Tonga is so rare and unusual the global geo-science community is intrigued.
The sonic boom of Saturday's explosion reverberated around the world.
To explain… Audio
