Civil Defence
Nelson-Tasman fire situation improves
While the Nelson-Tasman fire remains volatile, it appears the hard work of many fire fighters is beginning to pay off as the situation improves. Crews and helicopters are still busy watching for any… Video, Audio
Wakefield residents looking forward to sleeping in their own beds
Reporter Katie Scotcher is in Wakefield, where she returned home with residents Julie Germyn and Ian Sutton. Video, Audio
Emotional return for Wakefield evacuees
Wakefield residents are starting to return to their homes, days after they were forced to flee. Reporter Nita Blake-Persen talks to one local who says she was almost in tears when she found out she… Video, Audio
The cats go missing as the fire rages
As some Nelson Tasman residents return home this evening - some are doing so without their beloved cats. Sylvia and Chris Dallyn haven't seen their cat Mango since Saturday and are appealing for your… Video, Audio
Public briefed on Nelson-Tasman fires
Two community meetings are being held in Nelson tonight to brief the public on the latest on the Nelson-Tasman fire. Reporter Logan Church joins Checkpoint live from the first meeting at Appleby… Audio
Wakefield evacuees allowed to return to their homes
Wakefield residents are being allowed to return to their homes for the first time in days, but are being warned to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Video, Audio
Look back on RNZ's live coverage of Nelson fire, day 7
Wakefield residents are to be allowed to go home today, effective immediately, civil defence says. Video
'Worry setting in' - Residents anxious to return home
As the Nelson-Tasman fire enters its seventh day, a make-shift campsite for evacuated residents and animals is showing no signs of slowing down. Audio
Watch: Evacuated residents worried about stock
Residents evacuated from the Nelson bush fire area may start returning home in the next few days, but in the mean time Wakefield residents can only go through the town in escorted convoys. Video
Nelson fire live: Watch footage of firefighters battling blaze
Police want to identify three young men they say were seen near the Walter's Bluff or Atawhai fire in Nelson on Friday. Video
Nelson fire: Police urge residents to respect cordon
Police have urged people evacuated from the fire zone not to breach civil defence cordons to check on their animals and properties. Video
Nelson fire: Fire closes in on Wakefield
The fire burning more than 2000 hectares of Nelson bush is closing in on the town of Wakefield as 23 helicopters, two planes and 150 firefighters today worked in what emergency services say is a…
Nelson fire: Prepare your evacuation packs - mayor
About 860 people have been evacuated due to the ongoing battle to extinguish the bush fire in the Nelson-Tasman area.
More Wakefield residents told to evacuate
Fresh evacuations are underway in Wakefield near Nelson as Fire and Emergency battles to contain fires across the region. Civil Defence controller Dennis Bush-King says more than 300 households and… Video, Audio
Nelson fire: More Wakefield residents told to evacuate
Wakefield residents in the area bordered by Barton Lane, Higgins Road and Baigent Valley Road are being asked to evacuate now as well. Follow all the latest developments with RNZ's live updates.
Two homes destroyed in new Nelson city fire
RNZ reporter Ben Strang reports on the latest on multiple fires in the Nelson region. He tells us a fire that broke out this afternoon at Walter's Bluff near Nelson city has been brought under… Audio
Nelson fire update
The huge fire in the Nelson/Tasman region continues to burn out of control, destroying a house and a farm building Audio
Ashen skies in Wakefield: 'Yesterday it was very thick'
Residents of Wakefield are ready to leave their homes at a moments notice say ash and pine needles have been falling from the sky for days.
Little rain relief and winds to pick up as Nelson fire rages
Winds with the potential to flare up the huge forest fire near Nelson are expected to increase over the weekend, and despite a humidity increase there's little sign of rain on the tinder-dry hills in…
