Natural Disasters

Whakatāne needs to prepare for an earthquake and tsunami similar to the 2011 Japan event which killed 20,000, scientist says.

The tornadoes have left a swath of obliterated homes, splintered trees and crumpled cars.

The silt is gone and the road into the seaside village of Herbertville is under repair, but the pub remains closed.

The map will allow hazard modellers and councils to better prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis, NIWA says. Audio

Torrential rain triggered flash floods, landslides, and cold lava flow - a mud-like mixture of volcanic ash, rock debris and water.

The majority of residents who made submissions to the council's long-term plan support it buying out private properties affected by the August 2022 storm.

Planning is underway to help communities at the head of Lake Whakatipu, including Glenorchy, adapt to flooding, earthquakes and liquefaction.

A series of explosive eruptions have led to a ruling that almost 10,000 residents will no longer be allowed to live on the Indonesian island which is home to the active volcano, a minister said on…

The country's emergency response is besieged by inquiries, despite years of reviews and efforts to make laws that deliver.

An inquiry into the response to last year's catastrophic storms shows the government must move quickly to save lives and prevent further devastation, those affected say. Audio

"When you're confronted with your house of, say, 30 years being deconstructed ... you're back there living it all over again."

Heavy rain has continued to batter Gulf states, causing deadly flash floods and disrupting flights at the world's second-busiest airport.

It comes as the government announces owners will now have four extra years to fix their buildings. Audio