Natural Disasters
Covering Tonga’s eruption - without communications
That epic undersea eruption in Tonga was heard around the region - and recorded and analysed in minute detail, even from space. But a comprehensive communications wipeout cut reporters off from…
Video, AudioTonga starting to recover after volcano, tsunami - Red Cross
The Red Cross says Tonga is on the road to recovery two weeks after a volcanic eruption and tsunami devastated the Pacific nation.
Staff and volunteers are delivering drinking water, temporary… Audio
Council, port help Tongan families in Otago ship food supplies
The Dunedin City Council and Port Otago have stepped up to ensure the city's Tongan community can send supplies to families impacted by this month's volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Heilala vanilla raises $140k for Tonga
A New Zealand company has raised more than $142,000 - and counting - for Tonga.
The original goal was to raise $100,000, but thanks to nearly 900 donors that target has been exceeded.
Heilala… Audio
Jenny Salesa on Auckland aid for Tonga
The Australian Navy plans to go ahead with delivering relief to Tonga after reports that 23 people on board its ship HMAS Adelaide have tested positive for Covid-19.
It says it is confident it can… Audio
Pacific roundup: Samoa lockdown and Tonga recovery
Aid is arriving in Tonga following the volcanic eruption and tsunami more than a week ago.
Meanwhile, Samoa is extending its Covid lockdown after border staff contracted the virus.
RNZ Pacific… Audio
Ash in Tonga like 'thick black snow'
With no rain, Tonga is still blanketed in ash, which some on the ground have described as being like "thick black snow".
Katie Greenwood, from the International Federation of the Red Cross says the… Audio
Tonga eruption: World Bank contributes $12 million in aid
The World Bank has given about $12 million New Zealand dollars to Tonga, following the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami nine days ago.
About 85 percent of the population has been affected… Audio
HMNZS Aotearoa arrives in Tonga
New Zealand Navy's largest vessel the HMNZS Aotearoa is currently in Tonga to help with relief efforts.
The ship carrying 250,000 litres of water, life-saving essentials and desalination equipment… Audio
Eight days since Tonga eruption and tsunami
It's now been eight days since Tonga's volcanic eruption and tsunami, and the island nation faces a long road to recovery.
Almost 85 percent of the country's population of about 105,000 people has… Audio
Shipping containers urgently needed for Tonga relief
More shipping containers are urgently needed thanks to an overwhelming response from the Tongan community to a donation drive at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.
MP for Panmure-Otahuhu and co-chair of… Audio
Police have no plans to move Franz Josef station, despite mayor's plea
New Zealand police say there are no plans to move the Franz Josef station, despite prompting by the Westland mayor who is concerned about the earthquake risk.
Tongan eruption: 85% of the population impacted - government
Tonga faces a long road to recovery, with most of the population affected by the violent eruption and tsunami that followed, and many areas still scrambling to restore basic necessities.
Tonga eruption sets world record for booming heard so far from volcano
Volcanologists estimate the material ejected in the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption was about twice that of the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980.
Safety at Tonga port being assessed as more supplies on the way
Specialist New Zealand Defence Force staff will be checking Tonga's shipping lanes are passable and the wharf is safe so desperately needed humanitarian supplies can get through. Audio
Tonga eruption: remarkable stories of survival emerge
Tonga's recovery is making progress, but the future remains unclear as assessments still take place.
Aid flights have arrived from New Zealand and Australia; and NZDF ships are helping clear the way… Audio
Tonga eruption: aid arrives, NZ gathering donations
Crucial aid has started arriving in Tonga.
Yesterday a New Zealand Defence Force aircraft carrying food, water, communications equipment and other emergency supplies landed in the capital.
Limited… Audio
Tonga: limited communications back up and running
Communication is trickling through to ash-blanketed Tonga, but the sheer number of people trying to check on whanau and friends is overwhelming the system.
It's been a tough week for Tongans -… Audio
Tonga: NZDF ensuring humanitarian supplies can get through
Today specialist New Zealand Defence Force staff will be busy checking Tonga's shipping lanes are passable and its main wharf is safe so desperately needed humanitarian supplies can get through.
So… Audio
Tongan 'real life Aquaman' survives 27-hour swim after tsunami
A 57-year-old Tongan man who says he swam about 27 hours after getting swept out to sea during Saturday's devastating tsunami has been hailed a "real life Aquaman".
