Natural Disasters
NSW dealing with fresh floods
New South Wales is dealing with new destructive floods after a severe storm hit the state.
In the worst-affected town of Eugowra, 90 percent of homes and businesses have been affected.
More rain is… Audio
Coast civil defence structure called out - '11th hour' and 'headless chickens'
The confusing structure of the region's civil defence organisation has been questioned by West Coast Regional councillors.
Pegasus Beach fire update
One hundred and thirty people have been evacuated from a Woodend campground, after a wildfire started at about 8pm on Wednesday.
The fire has been moving south, driven by 25 kilometre per hour winds… Audio
FENZ gives update on Pegasus fire
One hundred and thirty people have been evacuated from a coastal campground north of Christchurch at Pegasus Beach,after a wildfire took hold last night. The fire started about 8 o'clock and travelled… Audio
'The first thing buyers ask us' - Flood zones pose hazards for insuring homeowners
People who own homes in flood zones might see their property values sink, according to the Reserve Bank.
It has suggested banks could tighten their lending criteria in flood prone areas - finding in… Video, Audio
Buller District Mayor on flood risk for communities
A government report has for the first time identified dozens of communities at serious risk of flooding and are unprepared to cope.
It comes as emergency managers on the West Coast are on high alert… Audio
Government report indentifies communities at risk of flooding
A government report has for the first time identified dozens of communities at serious risk of flooding and are unprepared to cope.
Ministers are now considering how to help and abandoning those… Audio
River floods could pose bigger risk to banks than coastal flooding, Reserve Bank report says
Flooding caused by rivers and surface water could pose a bigger risk to banks residential lending portfolios than coastal flooding, a Reserve Bank report says.
Aucklanders among least prepared for natural disaster - StatsNZ survey
Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders took part in an earthquake drill this morning, but figures show only one in five households is prepared for a natural disaster.
Pilots who took risk to rescue eruption victims honoured for bravery
A group of commercial helicopter pilots who landed on Whakaari / White Island after the 2019 eruption will receive the country's highest honours for their courage.
Nelson City Council faces $60m bill for flood repairs - mayor
Nelson is facing years of recovery and the council faces an infrastructure repair bill up to $60 million dollars after August's floods.
Whakaari / White Island owners' bid to get charges dismissed fails
The owners of Whakaari Island had their application for dismissal thrown out in the Auckland District Court today.
'It is a concern': NZers feel unprepared for disaster, survey finds
Only two in five New Zealanders feel they are well prepared for a disaster, according to a NEMA survey. Audio
Owners of Whakaari / White Island argue for charges against them to be dropped
The family who owns Whakaari / White Island today argued in court for charges against them to be dropped. But WorkSafe rejects that.
New seismic hazard model reveals updated threat level of nation's faults
The chances of the ground shaking more violently in a quake is much higher than previously thought for large parts of the country. Audio
Slipping away: Can we keep fixing up after landslides?
Landslides can happen anywhere there is a slope, at any time. Can we stop them? Audio
Slipping away: Can we keep fixing up after landslides?
Landslides can happen anywhere there is a slope, at any time. Can we stop them?
AudioHurricane Ian death toll climbs to 83, officials defend response
The death toll from Hurricane Ian has climbed past 80 as embattled residents in Florida and the Carolinas face a recovery expected to cost tens of billions of dollars, and some officials cop criticism…
Law doubling claimable EQC cover for insured homeowners comes into force
The change, which was announced a year ago, will automatically be applied when people renew their insurance policy or take out a new one.
The cyborg cockroach coming to disaster area near you
If an earthquake strikes in the not too distant future and survivors are trapped under tonnes of rubble, the first responders to locate them could be swarms of cyborg cockroaches.
