Civil Defence
NZ firefighters fly to help at tragic California wildfire
At least 30 firefighters from New Zealand will be sent to northern California to help fight a deadly wildfire. The fire which ignited a week ago, doubled in size over the weekend and now covers nearly… Audio
Ohakune community shaken by fatal bus crash
Ohakune is a town on edge following the bus crash on the road to Tūroa which cost the life of 11-year-old Aucklander Hannah Francis at the weekend, and injured 18 others - three of whom who are still… Audio
Ohakune community 'resilient' in face of bus tragedy
Ruapehu District Mayor Don Cameron says the fatal road accident that claimed the life of 11-year-old Hannah Francis has been a huge shock to the town. Hannah died when the shuttle she was on with 30… Audio
Mt Eden bar fire: More than 50 firefighters face blaze
Mt Eden bar fire: More than 50 firefighters face blaze. Audio
Police call handlers' new roster a 'failure'
A new rostering system for police emergency call handlers is being called a failure. Preference-based scheduling, or PBS as it's commonly known, is one of two rostering systems used in Police comms… Audio
Dive squad resumes search for chopper pilot
The police national dive squad will be back on Lake Wanaka this morning searching for chopper pilot Matthew Wallis. The 39-year-old was on a solo flight on Saturday afternoon when his Robinson R44… Audio
Earthquake-prone hospitals on the rise
Newly released figures reveal the number of hospital buildings that are earthquake-prone is rising. That's a reversal of the previous downward trend. There are 77 quake-prone buildings with staff or… Audio
Search for missing pilot resumes on Lake Wanaka
The search for the missing helicopter pilot Matt Wallis is resuming on Lake Wanaka. The son of the Warbirds Over Wanaka founder, Sir Tim Wallis, crashed into the lake near Stevensons Island on… Audio
Petone metal factory fire causes chaos, clouds of smoke
A fire at a metal factory in Petone is causing traffic issues in the Capital. Motorists are being advised to avoid Seaview Road while firefighters battle the blaze. No-one has been reported injured… Audio
Thai cave rescue: Boys speak to media for first time
The 12 members of a youth football team and their coach who spent more than two weeks trapped underground in a flooded cave network in northern Thailand have appeared in public for the first time… Audio
Police Minister 'working hard' on goal of 1800 new officers
Police Minister Stuart Nash says he's "working incredibly hard" to deliver the promised 1800 new police officers to the service. The coalition agreement says "strive to"; Mr Nash tells Guyon Espiner… Audio
Police bosses will negotiate pay 'in good faith' - Kaye Ryan
Too many senior police officers are leaving and it's putting huge pressure on the government's target for hiring more police, the president of the Police Association says. In response, NZ Police's… Audio
Goal for more police difficult as hundreds leave job - union
The police association is warning the government's target for hiring more officers is under huge pressure because too many front-line staff are leaving. The attrition rate is just over 500 officers a… Audio
Too many senior cops quitting - Police Association
The police association is warning the government's target for hiring more officers is under huge pressure because too many front-line staff are leaving. The attrition rate is just over 500 officers a… Audio
Coromandel virtually cut off by storm
The Coromandel remains cut off from the north, after the upper North Island was hammered by wind and rain over the past 24 hours. The Kopu-Hikuai and Manaia Roads were closed due to major slips, while… Audio
Four boys, coach remain in Thailand cave
Four more boys have been rescued out of a flooded cave in Thailand. That means eight boys have been brought out safely, while four boys and their football coach remain inside the cave. They were stuck… Audio
Thai cave rescue: Eight freed, five remain
Four more boys have been rescued out of a cave in Thailand. Now eight boys have been brought out safely, while five people remain inside the cave. The 12 boys and their football coach became stuck… Audio
Thailand cave rescue: Illness feared if boys stay
Rescue workers in Thailand are looking for a natural opening in the ceiling of a cave to try to get 12 boys and their football coach out. Monsoon season is due to start soon and rain is forecast for… Audio
Thailand cave rescue difficult in rain
The search for twelve missing boys and their football coach in a cave complex in Northern Thailand has been suspended again due to rain. They've been missing for five days and now American and British… Audio
Rissington demands action after two floods in three months
Residents living in the small Hawke's Bay settlement of Rissington have been flooded twice in three months and say lives are at risk unless a stop bank is built and the river is cleared of debris to… Audio