Natural Disasters
Victoria shaken by 5.8 earthquake, felt as far as Adelaide
Victoria has been struck by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake with tremors being felt across the state, in New South Wales and even as far as Adeleide. Worldwatch's Perlina Lau reports. Audio
Whakaari/White Island: Independent WorkSafe review months overdue
A review of WorkSafe's handling of operations on Whakaari/White Island before the deadly eruption took place is now months overdue.
The blast in December 2019 took 22 lives.
In 2020 Minister of… Audio
‘It will take time and money’ – Canterbury floods fallout
Talks around future flood safeguarding in Canterbury are developing after the historic rain event which lashed the region.
Papatoetoe tornado: Months on, many properties still a mess
Nearly four months since June's deadly tornado ripped through the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe many properties still resemble bombsites.
Now Auckland's prolonged level 4 lockdown is causing further… Video, Audio
Weather: West Auckland faces widespread flooding damage
Ruined cars, sodden belongings and ripped up gardens. West Aucklanders have been taking stock of what they lost in Monday night's deluge.
Bethells Beach remains cut off because of a washed-out… Video, Audio
Weather: Floods force west Aucklanders from homes
As if level 4 lockdown wasn't bad enough, some west Auckland residents have been forced to flee their homes when flood waters rushed into their houses and continued rising.
In some places the water… Video, Audio
Work to rebuild Hutt River bank, path to take three months
Major riverbank reconstruction is underway along Te Awa Kairangi/ Hutt River after significant erosion destroyed part of a popular walking path near the Royal Wellington Golf Club.
Haiti earthquake kills hundreds
Recovery efforts are ongoing following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Haiti on Saturday.
More than 700 have died in the tragedy, and almost 300 are injured. Now Haiti is also bracing for a tropical… Audio
Suncorp takes revenue hit due to natural disaster claims
One of the country's biggest insurers has reported a 17 percent drop in annual profit because of increased natural disaster claims.
Queen Charlotte Track could be closed for months following storm
One of Marlborough's most popular tramping tracks through the Queen Charlotte Sound remains closed while the Department of Conservation assesses the damage.
'The mood has been very good' - Westport flood victim
Two weeks on, repairs begin and the community helps with clean-up from flooding.
Long road ahead in Buller clean-up after floods
It has been an emotional day for some West Coast residents, as it becomes clear hundreds of people will be forced into long-term accommodation, or will have to move altogether - after devastating… Video, Audio
Niwa team gathers flood data
Niwa says data gathered before and after last weekend's disastrous flood in Westport will influence the design of any stopbanks that may be built in future.
Westport flooding: Dozens still sleeping at school
Efforts continue in Westport today to find shelter for hundreds of people displaced by serious flooding.
Eighty-nine homes in the town have been red-stickered, and for 95 people, Westport South… Audio
Westport local lashes out at council over flood
A Westport man is hitting out at the local council for not doing enough to protect the town from flood.
Heavy rain over the weekend caused the Buller and Orowaiti Rivers to flood, resulting in… Audio
Flood-hit Westport braces for more heavy rain amid clean-up
West Coast residents are bracing for more heavy rain as the flood-hit region grapples with finding acccomodation for those whose homes have been destroyed.
The Associate Housing Minister visited the… Video, Audio
Westport flooding: Locals still unable to go home
Many shocked and tired Westport residents are getting mentally prepared for the task ahead of drying out, repairing or replacing their waterlogged homes.
Dozens of houses have been red-listed as… Audio
Westport flooding: Associate Housing Minister urging affected locals to get in touch
Temporary accommodation services in Westport are to be activated for those with homes damaged by severe weather, including extensive flooding.
Flooding beginning last Friday afternoon has left many… Audio
Whakaari/White Island: Multimillion-dollar fund paid out to charged companies
Whakaari / White Island tourism companies charged with breaching health and safety laws have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funding since the tragedy.
Most of the money has come… Audio
Westport evacuee wants empty homes turned to accomodation
A Westport evacuee who's trying to find somewhere else to live wants empty houses up for sale in the town to be turned into emergency accommodation.
Karen Palermo's flat has had water and silt… Audio
