Civil Defence
Ahipara homes evacuated as fire spreads
A massive scrub fire near Ahipara in the Far North is under control this morning. Residents of more than 100 homes were given 10 minutes to evacuate yesterday evening, as the blaze grew. Multiple… Audio
Ship fire at Napier port clears area with toxic fumes
A burning ship at Napier's port sent thick, black clouds of smoke billowing into the sky - while police forced pedestrians to clear the area due to potentially toxic fumes.
About 60 fire fighters… Audio
Cyclone Yasa: As Fiji counts losses, world offers help
Two people have died as a result of Cyclone Yasa bearing down on Fiji. People across the country woke today to count their losses following the destruction left behind by the category five storm.
… Audio
Investigators seek clues to cause of Kaikōura helicopter crash
A blessing has been held this afternoon at the site of yesterday's fatal helicopter crash near Kaikōura that killed a Christchurch couple and seriously injured three children.
Andrew Davidson and his… Audio
Fire crews keep watch on Port Hills overnight
Two fire crews have kept watch in Christchurch overnight, as the potential for fire on the Port Hills remains high.
Fire and Emergency yesterday successfully contained a blaze after sparks from a… Audio
Kekerengu helicopter crash - latest update
Two people have died and three are injured after a helicopter crash north of Kaikōura.
Emergency services were called to the crash on the beach at about twenty-to-one, and one of those first on the… Audio
Port Hills fire - latest update
Sixteen homes have been evacuated on Christchurch's Port Hills, after fire again broke out this afternoon.
Emergency services say they've contained the scrub fire, but are staying on scene overnight… Video, Audio
Christchurch homes evacuated in latest Port Hills fire
Sixteen homes have been evacuated on Christchurch's Port Hills this afternoon because of a fire.
Fire and Emergency has told RNZ the fire was caused by sparks from a construction site.
Smoke has… Video, Audio
Kekerengu helicopter crash 'a grey mangled mess'
Two people have been killed and three seriously injured in a helicopter crash north of Kaikōura on Monday.
Emergency services raced to the crash, described as a "grey mess" on the beach at the… Video, Audio
Blazes across NZ causing concern about fire risk
Three large fires in a single weekend have sparked concerns about the country's growing fire risk.
The fires included a large scrub fire in Christchurch's Port Hills, one at Pumpkin Hill in the… Audio
The Whakaari eruption health response - what happened?
It's a year this week since the deadly Whakaari eruption. It prompted a massive nation-wide health response, ranging from ambulance officers on the ground to the country's top burns surgeons.
… Audio
South Island on alert for fires as summer starts
Fire and Emergency has moved all of Otago to a restricted fire season as the region rapidly dries out with more hot weather forecast.
North Canterbury remains on low alert - but that's in part thanks… Audio
Whakaari/White Island: Differing opinions on independent investigation into rescue mission
Ministers differ over the need for an independent investigation into the Whakaari/White Island rescue and recovery mission.
A major WorkSafe inquiry has charged 13 parties after examining events… Audio
Heavy rain returns to Porirua as flood cleanup continues
It's started raining heavily again in Porirua - just a day after severe downpours caused chaos on Plimmerton's roads.
The Civil Defence say they're on clean up mode after yesterday's flash flooding.
…Plimmerton flooding: Fire and Emergency update
Up to 15 homes are uninhabitable and some cars have been written off after flooding hit Plimmerton on Sunday. The combination of a high tide and a torrential downpour led to the flooding, with locals… Audio
Central Napier businesses face challenging clean up
Some businesses in central Napier are still struggling to pick themselves up after last week's devastating floods. One business, Lift, on Emerson St, believes it was one of the worst affected. Lift is… Audio
Napier floods: No one will be displaced from evacuation centre - mayor
The full extent of Napier's flood and slip damage should be known by midday tomorrow, Fire and Emergency says.
Napier flood: Scale of damage still unclear
Four days in and the scale of the damage from Monday's storm in Napier is still unclear.
Sixty-seven homes have been deemed unfit to live in, of which 22 are severely damaged by either slips or… Video, Audio
Housing shortage making Napier flood relief harder - Mayor
Hawke's Bay Civil Defence controller says sixty-seven homes are not habitable after the Napier flood and expects that figure to rise.
Uncertainty over long-term accommodation for flood evacuees
With a clean-up now in full swing in Napier, the next big challenge will be to find longer-term accommodation for people who can't soon return to their homes.
