Fire
Maniototo fires brought under control
Firefighters in Central Otago have battled to bring a 300-hectare scrub fire that closed part of the main state highway and rail trail under control. Video, Audio
Tasman residents on edge as new fire breaks out
A new fire that has broken out in Tasman has forced evacuations in Redwood Valley - Phillipa Foes-Lamb lives on Maisey Road and told Checkpoint she is on standby to leave at any moment. Audio
Second fire in Nelson contained, but not out
Resources have been pulled away from the Pigeon Valley fire to battle another blaze which broke out in Nelson today, forcing the evacuation of some homeowners. Fire incident controller Robin Thompson… Video, Audio
New fire in Nelson forces more evacuations
Just hours after the civil defence emergency lifted in Tasman District, some residents are on the move again, after a new fire broke out in the Redwood Valley area. Checkpoint spoke to a number of… Video, Audio
Air Pollution - an invisible killer
Gary Fuller is an air pollution scientist at King's College London, where his research focuses on the sources of urban air pollution and also looks at the effect on people's health. Dr Fuller led the… Audio
Fighting Nature's Fury - The Tasman Fires
Insight - As the battle against the Tasman fires continues, Alex Ashton reflects on the emergency response and questions whether New Zealand is ready for a future where fires like this could become… Video, Audio
Firefighter hospitalised due to dehydration
Hundreds of people in Nelson-Tasman are spending another night out of their homes as an evacuation notice remains in place as firefighters battle the blaze. Reporter Nita Blake-Persen joins Checkpoint… Audio
Tasman State of Emergency extended for another week
Firefighters are expecting to be battling the Nelson-Tasman fire for weeks to come, while businesses and farmers in the area are counting the cost. Nita Blake-Persen reports from Tasman, where the… Video, Audio
Nelson-Tasman fire situation improves
While the Nelson-Tasman fire remains volatile, it appears the hard work of many fire fighters is beginning to pay off as the situation improves. Crews and helicopters are still busy watching for any… Video, Audio
Wakefield residents looking forward to sleeping in their own beds
Reporter Katie Scotcher is in Wakefield, where she returned home with residents Julie Germyn and Ian Sutton. Video, Audio
Emotional return for Wakefield evacuees
Wakefield residents are starting to return to their homes, days after they were forced to flee. Reporter Nita Blake-Persen talks to one local who says she was almost in tears when she found out she… Video, Audio
The cats go missing as the fire rages
As some Nelson Tasman residents return home this evening - some are doing so without their beloved cats. Sylvia and Chris Dallyn haven't seen their cat Mango since Saturday and are appealing for your… Video, Audio
Public briefed on Nelson-Tasman fires
Two community meetings are being held in Nelson tonight to brief the public on the latest on the Nelson-Tasman fire. Reporter Logan Church joins Checkpoint live from the first meeting at Appleby… Audio
Wakefield evacuees allowed to return to their homes
Wakefield residents are being allowed to return to their homes for the first time in days, but are being warned to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Video, Audio
Watch: Evacuated residents worried about stock
Residents evacuated from the Nelson bush fire area may start returning home in the next few days, but in the mean time Wakefield residents can only go through the town in escorted convoys. Video
Rescue Technician Gina Kemp
SPCA rescue technician Gina Kemp has been on the ground helping the animals who need to be evacuated. She's checking on stock on Eves Valley Road. Audio
Nelson Animals
Many evacuees at the community meetings today were worried about the welfare of stock and other animals that have had to be left behind on properties within the fire zone. The Ministry for Primary… Audio
M.P. Nick Smith
Mr. Smith gives an overview of the situation and was at the meeting in Hope and at the CDEM briefing at 4pm Audio
Meteorologist Allister Gorman
Earlier today Fire and Emergency incident controller John Sutton said the prospect of 50 kilometre-an-hour winds on Sunday would put efforts to control the fire into the hands of god. Metservice… Audio