Natural Disasters
Tonga eruption: Waves up to 15 metres possible - Scientist
A GNS scientist says it's absolutely possible Tonga's volcanic eruption could have sparked tsunami waves reaching 15-metres high at their peak.
Tonga eruption: disaster response requires careful diplomacy
The eruption in Tonga has triggered a global response with nearby countries stepping up to assist.
A New Zealand C-130 Hercules is loaded with supplies and ready to go; and the Nuku'alofa airport… Audio
Tonga eruption: science behind 15metre high tsunami waves
Almost five days on from one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the past 30 years, more details are emerging about the impacts of Tonga's Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano blast and subsequent… Audio
Tonga eruption: parliament's speaker glad aid dispatched
The Defence Minister says a Hercules loaded with aid supplies is ready to fly to Tonga today now the main island's runway has been cleared of ash.
Relief efforts have begun following the country's… Audio
Tonga eruption: undersea cable repair could take a month
Limited communications have been restored to Tonga, with the local telecommunications provider Digicel saying international calls are now possible.
But they warn full services won't be up and running… Audio
Tonga eruption: NZ Defence Minister on disaster response
It's now been five days since Tonga's major volcanic eruption and tsunami - and as more information comes to light, aid is beginning to reach the island nation.
The World Health Organisation says… Audio
Tonga eruption: airport runway cleared of ash, aid flights start
It's now been five days since Tonga's major volcanic eruption and tsunami - and as more information comes to light, aid is beginning to reach the island nation.
The World Health Organisation says… Audio
Another island in Tonga appears to be wiped out by tsunami
New images appear to show the majority of structures on the Tongan island of Atatā have been wiped out after a tsunami and volcanic eruption last week.
Tonga approves arrival of two NZ vessels with supplies
Two naval ships with supplies have been approved for arrival in Tonga, an updated statement from the New Zealand government with more details on the situation, says.
Tongan community welcome official word from Tonga's government
Tongans in NZ are relieved to hear official information from Tongan government for the first time since Saturday's eruption - but Tongan-born New Zealand MP Jenny Salesa says it is upsetting, too.
Entire village destroyed after Tonga eruption: Govt
Three people have been confirmed to have died in Tonga following Saturday's volcanic eruption and tsunami, as aerial images show catastrophic damage to the island of Mango in Ha'apai. Audio
Painful wait for news from Nomuka
One of the isolated Tongan islands without communication is Nomuka.
It has one of the closest villages to the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, just 70 kilometres to the north-east.
The New Zealand… Audio
Tonga eruption: three dead, evacuations underway
Evacuations are underway in Tonga's hardest hit areas, with every home destroyed on Mango island and extensive damage elsewhere.
Aerial photos are beginning to show the extent of the devastation… Audio
Tonga eruption: what can NZ learn about its volcanoes?
The Tonga eruption has blanketed swathes of the Pacific nation's islands in volcanic ash.
Experts in New Zealand are taking note, to see what they can learn about the risks in Aotearoa.
The Auckland… Audio
Comms to Tonga still poor, families' anxious wait for news
The extent of the devastation in Tonga is becoming clearer, with aerial photographs taken by the New Zealand Defence Force showing some of the utter devastation on islands.
Tongans living in New… Audio
Devastation in Tonga revealed in aerial photos
The extent of the devastation in Tonga is becoming clearer, with aerial photographs taken by the New Zealand Defence Force showing some of the utter devastation on islands.
The Tongan government has… Audio
Aid agencies prepare for Tonga disaster relief
Aid agencies are at the ready to help disaster-hit Tonga, but downed communications are slowing the relief response.
It's delaying what experts say will be an intensive cleanup after Saturday's… Audio
Tonga's Parliamentary speaker stuck in NZ awaiting news
Tongans in New Zealand are anxiously waiting for news from the islands following Saturday's volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Communication links are still down and could remain that way for weeks.
… Audio
Tonga eruption: three dead, others injured, NZ sends aid
Three people have been confirmed dead in Tonga following Saturday's volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami, as aerial images show catastrophic damage to the island of Mango in the outlying Ha'apai… Audio
These two ingredients turned the Tonga eruption into a catastrophic explosion
The volcanic eruption in Tonga on Saturday was massive. Here's what we know about why it was so big, whether it's going to erupt again soon, and if there are others we should be keeping an eye on.
