April 2017 Floods
Council says it is providing 24/7 security in Edgecumbe
The Whakatāne District Council is providing 24/7 security around the red-stickered area of Edgecumbe, its mayor says.
Edgecumbe businesses still in dark over relief funds
More than one hundred flood-stricken businesses in Edgecumbe are yet to find out when they will receive their government relief funds.
Whakatāne Mayor: 'generosity of NZers' overwhelming
Whakatāne's Mayor says he's overwhelmed by the donations that have come in for the flood-hit Bay of Plenty town of Edgecumbe.
Council to offer new campground to flood-hit residents
The Whakatāne District Council wants to use a newly-purchased holiday park as temporary housing for Edgecumbe residents. Audio
Govt fund 'unlikely' to cover Edgecumbe businesses' losses
Edgecumbe business owners facing damage to supplies and loss of customers say government support is unlikely to cover their losses.
Waikato farmer saves 800 goats from flooding
A Waikato dairy-goat farmer spent the weekend trying to save his 800 goats after floodwater surged over his land, washing out his only access road.
Govt offers $700k to flood-struck businesses
The government is making an extra $700,000 available for flood-affected businesses in Edgecumbe and the wider Bay of Plenty.
MetService defends forecasts: 'We're certainly seeing more extremes'
More extreme weather is making it harder to accurately predict conditions, MetService says.
Access restored to final town cut off by Cyclone Cook
Road access to the Urewera township of Ruatahuna has finally been restored after being cut off for more than a week.
Volunteers move in to clean up Edgecumbe
Hundreds of people have joined an army of volunteers to help clean up flood-stricken Edgecumbe over the Easter weekend.
Hundreds to spend third night without power
The lines company Unison says it expects to have all Hawke's Bay properties reconnected to the grid by the end of tomorrow. Video
Edgecumbe volunteers 'still coming in off the street'
An army of volunteers has taken to the streets of flood-stricken Edgecumbe this morning to help with the clean-up.
Farmers bring in pumps to drain sodden land
Bay of Plenty farmers are worried it will be months before their farms are back to normal.
Cyclone Cook: What you need to know
Fallen trees and powerlines have closed several roads, but all weather warnings associated with Cyclone Cook have been lifted as the storm moves south.
'Huge clean-up job' following wild weather
The worst of Cyclone Cook may be over but there is a huge clean-up job ahead in the coming months, Civil Defence says. Video
Edgecumbe residents return but 'hellish' for some
Some Edgecumbe residents have been allowed back into their flood-hit town today but many have been devastated by the state of their homes. Video
Clean-up continues as Cyclone Cook heads south
Christchurch's Heathcote River has burst its banks, while trees and power lines have been brought down in areas of the North Island. Look back our LIVE coverage of the storm here.
Wild weather and the elephant in the room
Cartoon - Toby Morris asks whether New Zealand's run of abominable weather recently might have a common cause.
'We're happy, even if there was a lot of snoring'
Hundreds of people who sought refuge at a Whakatāne evacuation centre overnight are slowly returning home.
Cyclone Cook triggers evacuations, cuts power to thousands
The storm struck Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay on Thursday, triggering evacuations and road closures and cutting power to thousands. Video