Weather
Hundreds of Edgecumbe residents face long delay returning home
An Edgecumbe local board member who's been helping people return to flooded homes say hundreds face a long wait before they'll be able to return. He says some homes will never be safe to go back to. Audio
Cyclone Cook bears down on New Zealand
Cyclone Cook is bearing down on New Zealand bringing more torrential rain and potentially destructive winds. The Transport Agency's Waikato Bay of Plenty highway manager Nic Johansson says any… Audio
Warming up flood-struck whānau with kindness
Hunters and butchers from around Bay of Plenty are working together to help families left homeless by the devastating flooding in Edgecumbe. Video
Severe weather forecaster Erick Brenstrum
Metservice is warning the remains of tropical cyclone Cook could pack as powerful a punch as the Wahine Storm of April 1968. Audio
Expect more severe weather events, Environment Commissioner warns
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright say rare and freakish weather events are becoming repetitive, and will continue to do so in the face of climate change. Video, Audio
Cyclone Cook an extremely serious event, MetService warns
Cyclone Cook is barelling down towards New Zealand with similar speeds as Cyclone Giselle in 1968, in which the Wahine sank. Authorities are warning people to be prepared. Video, Audio
State of Emergency declared in Coromandel
A state of emergency has been declared in the Coromandel as it prepares for Cyclone Cook. Garry Towler, the Thames Valley Civil Defence Controller, joins Checkpoint live. Audio
Great Barrier bracing for Cyclone Cook
Great Barrier will be the first area in New Zealand hit by Cyclone Cook. Its local board chairperson Izzy Fordham says the community has been warned they're in for a rough few hours. Audio
Cyclone Cook likely to be worst weather event in decades
MetService warns Cyclone Cook is likely to be the worst storm in New Zealand in decades. It is travelling towards the country at the same speed as cyclone Giselle, which caused the Wahine disaster. Video, Audio
Great Barrier standing by for Cook
Great Barrier Island resident Orla Cumisky provides an update in islanders preparations for the incoming storm. Audio
Schools close in Bay of Plenty as Cyclone Cook nears
RNZ reporter Mihingarangi Forbes joined Edgecumbe residents as they returned to their flood-damaged homes. She says the "pong" on the street was overwhelming and tellingly, they were told to lift… Audio
Civil Defence is on high alert ahead of Cyclone Cook
BOP Civil Defence controller Clinton Naude says there's a lot of preparation going on to ensure the entire region is prepared for the coming rainfall. Audio
Edgcumbe residents fear more rain will destory town further
"Whakatane Council has a lot to answer for" says Edgecumbe resident Bernadine Ngaheu who was standing on the road with her grandson when the river breach occurred and says there was no warning at all… Audio
Bay of Plenty in state of emergency, bracing for intense rain
NIWA meteorologist Chris Brandolino says we're going to see a repeat of last week's rainfall and can expect flooding and slips across the North Island and upper South Island. Audio
Farmers batten down as more heavy rain forecast
A state of emergency has been declared for Bay of Plenty, with up to 250 millimetres of rain forecast for the sodden region in the next 48 hours. Audio
Bay of Plenty warned to be prepared for Cyclone Cook
The already sodden communities of the Bay of Plenty are being warned more severe weather is going to hit the area again in the next 48 hours. Civil Defence says to be prepared. Audio
State of emergency in Bay of Plenty as Cyclone Cook looms
The dam upriver from Edgecumbe will be lowered and flood walls will be reinforced, as the region braces for 250mm of rain in 48 hours. Audio
Mayor was 'unaware' of stress on Edgecumbe stopbank
Whakatāne Mayor Tony Bonne says he was unaware of the stress on the stopbank, despite locals saying there was a major problem two hours before it burst. Audio
Edgecumbe locals say town should have been evacuated earlier
Edgecumbe residents are angry at what they say was inaction on behalf of emergency services, who they say could have warned them earlier of the potential of the stopbank breaching. Video, Audio
More rain coming - 'You don't know whether to laugh or cry'
A family who have had most of their farm destroyed by flooding in the small Bay of Plenty town of Waimana are now bracing for more heavy rain. Video, Audio
