Natural Disasters
Milford Sound tests emergency response
Dozens of people from around the south gave up their time at the weekend to test and improve how Milford Sound Piopiotahi will respond to an emergency, such as a magnitude 8 earthquake along the… Audio
Piopiotahi prepares for possibility of being stranded in a disaster
One of New Zealand's most scenic spots is also one of the most remote, and vulnerable if it gets cut off.
Piopiotahi Milford Sound is preparing for how it would cope if it was left stranded in a… Audio
Pakistan earthquake kills 20 in Balochistan province
At least 20 people have been killed after an earthquake struck Pakistan's Balochistan province early on Thursday.
Lake Ōhau residents slowly return, and so do the bellbirds
Residents in Lake Ōhau are rebuilding their lives and homes while slowly restoring the scorched landscape after last year's devastating fire.
Lake Ōhau rebuilding lives one year on from devastating fire
Residents in Lake Ōhau are rebuilding their lives and homes while slowly restoring the scorched landscape after last year's devastating fire.
Today marks one year since fire tore through the remote… Video, Audio
Melbourne quake raises questions on building infrastructure
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 and depth of 10 kilometers rattled the city of Melbourne yesterday and has raised questions of whether Australia's infrastructure lacks earthquake protections.
… Audio
'In the too hard basket': Marlborough Sounds residents frustrated by road blocked since July
A group of Marlborough Sounds residents are hugely frustrated that after nine weeks, the only road out is still blocked by slips.
The area has been in its own kind of lockdown since the rain storm of… Audio
Victoria shaken by 5.8 earthquake, felt as far as Adelaide
Victoria has been struck by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake with tremors being felt across the state, in New South Wales and even as far as Adeleide. Worldwatch's Perlina Lau reports. Audio
Whakaari/White Island: Independent WorkSafe review months overdue
A review of WorkSafe's handling of operations on Whakaari/White Island before the deadly eruption took place is now months overdue.
The blast in December 2019 took 22 lives.
In 2020 Minister of… Audio
‘It will take time and money’ – Canterbury floods fallout
Talks around future flood safeguarding in Canterbury are developing after the historic rain event which lashed the region.
Papatoetoe tornado: Months on, many properties still a mess
Nearly four months since June's deadly tornado ripped through the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe many properties still resemble bombsites.
Now Auckland's prolonged level 4 lockdown is causing further… Video, Audio
Weather: West Auckland faces widespread flooding damage
Ruined cars, sodden belongings and ripped up gardens. West Aucklanders have been taking stock of what they lost in Monday night's deluge.
Bethells Beach remains cut off because of a washed-out… Video, Audio
Weather: Floods force west Aucklanders from homes
As if level 4 lockdown wasn't bad enough, some west Auckland residents have been forced to flee their homes when flood waters rushed into their houses and continued rising.
In some places the water… Video, Audio
Work to rebuild Hutt River bank, path to take three months
Major riverbank reconstruction is underway along Te Awa Kairangi/ Hutt River after significant erosion destroyed part of a popular walking path near the Royal Wellington Golf Club.
Haiti earthquake kills hundreds
Recovery efforts are ongoing following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Haiti on Saturday.
More than 700 have died in the tragedy, and almost 300 are injured. Now Haiti is also bracing for a tropical… Audio
Suncorp takes revenue hit due to natural disaster claims
One of the country's biggest insurers has reported a 17 percent drop in annual profit because of increased natural disaster claims.
Queen Charlotte Track could be closed for months following storm
One of Marlborough's most popular tramping tracks through the Queen Charlotte Sound remains closed while the Department of Conservation assesses the damage.
'The mood has been very good' - Westport flood victim
Two weeks on, repairs begin and the community helps with clean-up from flooding.
Long road ahead in Buller clean-up after floods
It has been an emotional day for some West Coast residents, as it becomes clear hundreds of people will be forced into long-term accommodation, or will have to move altogether - after devastating… Video, Audio
Niwa team gathers flood data
Niwa says data gathered before and after last weekend's disastrous flood in Westport will influence the design of any stopbanks that may be built in future.
