Natural Disasters
Whakaari: Money given to companies 'unfair' - Lawyer for victims
A lawyer representing some Whakaari eruption victims is furious the tourism companies being prosecuted over the tragedy have received hundreds of thousands of dollars of public money.
The 2019… Audio
Severe or total damage on 89 homes after Westport flooding
Almost 90 West Coast families are needing a new roof over their heads after flood waters raged through the region on the weekend.
A community hub has been set up so residents can get medical… Video, Audio
Westport needs flood protection scheme – regional council chair says
The flood that swamped Westport at the weekend should convince even the most doubtful ratepayer that the town needs river protection work, West Coast Regional Council chairman Allan Birchfield says.
Hundreds of insurance claims made after flooding
Insurance claims are flooding in following the weekend's severe weather which has left many with a lengthy - and expensive - clean up.
Heavy rain caused widespread flooding and evacuations across the… Audio
Marlborough flooding: Mayor's update
Marlborough and Buller were both hit by major flooding over the weekend.
Hundreds of people had to be evacuated as the Wairau river flooded, but have since been able to return home.
Marlborough… Audio
Stopbanks can't be relied upon as climate changes - expert
The country is being warned it can no longer rely on stopbanks to prevent flooding as climate change will make major weather events - like the one over the weekend - more severe.
Judy Lawrence from… Audio
Westport flooding: Evacuation centre update
Westport residents are still out of their homes after a massive flooding event over the weekend.
The scale of the damage is not yet known, but insurer IAG says it has received hundreds of claims.
… Audio
Westport flooding: Very clear need for external accommodation support - Mayor
Hundreds of Westport residents still don't know when or if they'll return to live in their homes following the devastating flooding in the town.
At least 65 homes have been red-stickered but more are… Audio
Floods recede in Marlborough, revealing extent of damage
Water levels have fallen in Marlborough, revealing the extent of the damage caused by heavy rain over the weekend.
As the scale of the destruction is assessed, residents in cut off areas are waiting… Audio
Weather: Parts of flood-prone Westport to be red-zoned
The mayor of Buller estimates up to 100 people could be left without a home following the weekend's flooding on the West Coast.
While over 2000 people have been cleared to return home, more than 100… Video, Audio
German chancellor calls for climate action after deadly floods
After devastating floods in Germany and Belgium, the German Chancellor says the world must act urgently to turn around climate change.
European leaders have also blamed climate change for the floods… Audio
Marlborough District mayor outlines flood damage
The Marlborough District is picking up the pieces after one of its largest floods in history.
A state of emergency was declared in the region after sections of the Wairau River breached its banks and… Audio
Residents get first chance to assess flood damage
The sun will shine across the Buller and Marlborough districts today, giving residents their first real chance to assess the extent of the damage from the weekend's flooding.
Hundreds of people spent… Audio
Buller mayor details impact of flooding
Residents evacuated in flood-hit Buller are still reeling this morning.
Close to a thousand people had to flee to evacuation centres and at least one hundred homes have been flooded.
Jamie Cleine is… Audio
Sheep farm devastated by floods
Farmers across the upper South Island are on clean-up duty today as damaging flood waters recede.
Federated Farmers Marlborough president Scott Adams is one of those.
Portions of his sheep farm near… Audio
Avon Valley deer farmer recounts flooding havoc
Farmers across Marlborough are picking up the pieces this morning following the weekend's devastating floods.
Hundreds of people across the region were forced to evacuate as the area was hit by its… Audio
Tears over evacuating from home
Of the many people staying in evacuation centres in Westport over the weekend were two neighbours,
Lorraine Williams and Stephen Switalla.
They've spent three nights at the Salvation Army centre… Audio
Continued care for Westport evacuees
In Westport, authorities still haven't been able to determine the full extent of the damage from the weekend's flooding.
The floodwaters haven't yet receded from some parts of town, which means the… Audio
Buller wakes to extensive damage
The full extent of the damage caused by this weekend's major flooding across the West Coast will become more apparent today.
Hundreds of people have spent as many as three nights away from home… Audio
Extent of flood damage in Westport not yet known
In Westport, authorities still haven't been able to determine the full extent of the damage from the weekend's flooding.
The floodwaters haven't yet receded from some parts of town, which means the… Audio