Emergency Services
Avalanche near-misses prompt warning to backcountry skiers
Backcountry travellers have triggered multiple large avalanches this week prompting the Avalanche Advisory to remind them not to underestimate the snow conditions.
FENZ 'Letting its people down' - report on Muriwai firefighter deaths
'Fire and Emergency is letting its people down'. That's the assessment from the firefighters' union following a report showing Fire and Emergency has failed to train its firefighters on identifying… Audio
Super-hot explosive battery fires happening too often, council says
A series of fires have been caused by a common household battery which can trigger explosions, and firefighters believe some people are deliberately hiding them in recycling and scrap. Audio
Firefighters didn't recognise warning signs a fatal landslide was imminent - report
An independent investigation into the deaths of two volunteer firefighters at Muriwai has concluded they did not recognise the warning signs a landslide was imminent.
Hawke's Bay residents 'over it' as negotiations over cyclone bill cause stress
Some Hawke's Bay residents, whose homes were inundated by rivers of silt during Cyclone Gabrielle, fear the future of their properties depend on the size of cash-strapped councils' bank accounts.
Two dead in separate crashes on state highways
Parts of both State Highway 3 and 6 are closed following fatal crashes.
IPCA finds police failed duty of care after man died
A man who was losing consciousness while in a restraint chair in police custody died the next day.
One seriously injured after corrosive chemical spill
Emergency services were called to Dukes Road in Mosgiel after hydrogen sulfide spilled from a truck.
Mana whenua reps considered for Hawke's Bay Civil Defence
Mana whenua may finally have a seat at the Hawke's Bay Civil Defence table.
Body found on Auckland beach after dinghy reported overdue
A man has been found dead after a water-related incident at Auckland's Orewa Beach.
One dead, another airlifted to hospital after Kinleith crash
One person is dead following a serious single-vehicle crash on a rural road in the south Waikato.
More NZ firefighters off to help with Canada wildfires
Fire and Emergency will be sending their third deployment of firefighters to Canada in a joint effort between three agencies.
Serious crashes close parts of State Highway 6 and 80
Motorists were asked to avoid the state highways and delay their journeys on Tuesday afternoon.
Firearms Registry to launch this week, nearly four years after it was proposed
The New Zealand Firearms Registry is set to go live on 24 June, nearly four years after it was proposed in the wake of the Christchurch Mosque terror attacks.
Woman says friend hit twice by man with axe at Auckland restaurant
Police say there's no evidence the attack on Auckland restaurant customers with weapons, including an axe, was racially motivated.
Surf lifesavers out of pocket over wetsuits contaminated during flood rescues
Surf Lifeguards say they have been told they should not have responded to calls for help during Cyclone Gabrielle if they did not have the right gear.
Surf lifeguards told not to respond in crisis without gear
Surf lifeguards say they've been told they should not have responded to the calls for help during Cyclone Gabrielle if they didn't have the right gear. They saved hundreds of people, but ruined their… Audio
Titanic tourism crew missing in the Atlantic Ocean
A submarine used to take tourists down to view the wreck of the Titanic has gone missing in the Atlantic Ocean, sparking a search and rescue mission. OceanGate, the company operating the submersible… Audio
Auckland firefighters frustrated by growing delays in city
Firefighters in Auckland say delays caused by the rapidly growing city could be the difference between life and death.
Documents obtained by RNZ have shown crews are sometimes struggling to reach… Audio
