Natural Disasters
Vandalism at flood monitoring sites endanger community, council says
River monitoring equipment that is "absolutely critical" for timely flood warnings has been damaged by thieves on two Marlborough rivers, sparking a plea from the council.
'All we could do was watch it happen - and that was horrible'
Communities are still isolated following widespread flooding and slips, with helicopters delivering supplies. Audio
'Plan B' wanted for highways that keep getting damaged by storms
Farmers on the East Coast are worried about how long it will take to reopen storm-damaged State Highway 2.
Mayor wants state of emergency lifted
Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper would like to see the district's state of emergency lifted on Tuesday afternoon.
Was the tragedy in Mt Maunganui really "unprecedented"?
We're starting our first show of 2026 looking at the tragic events at Mt Maunganui. While lots of locals are still in a state of shock and sadness over the deadly landslide, for some that's turned to… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 26 December 2025
Recovery work has resumed at the site of the Mount Maunganui landslide, where six people are missing; Martin Brook, a Professor of Applied Geology at the University of Auckland spoke to Guyon Espiner… Audio
Teen victim of Mauao landslide 'incredible presence - wildly talented'
The Auckland teenager, originally from southern Italy, was described as a gifted dancer and a devoted friend.
Should we be rethinking how we rebuild after storms?
The floods keep coming, and we keep rebuilding. Is there a better way to cope with increasing numbers of infrastructure-wrecking storms?
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 26 January
NZ First leader Winston Peters is questioning whether New Zealand should continue to fund the World Health Organisation; Travel agents are worried British-New Zealand dual nationals may get turned… Audio
Tauranga Mayor announces investigation into slip disaster
Rescue crews have halted recovery efforts at the Mount Maunganui landslide overnight after workers spotted potential instability in the slip. Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Mount Maunganui search on hold due to risk of further slips
The search for six people unaccounted for after a landslide hit a campground at the base of Mount Maunganui has been put on hold due to the risk of further slips. Nick James reports. Audio
Changing our disaster focus
The floods keep coming, and we keep rebuilding. Is there a better way to cope with increasing numbers of infrastructure-wrecking storms? Audio
Live updates: Families, locals, PM come together to remember landslide victims
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is attending the vigil as the community does what it can to support the families of those with missing loved ones.
Family mourn teen killed in landslide as 'wonderful son, a devoted big brother'
The mother of a 15-year-old boy killed in the Mount Maunganui landslide says he was an "incredible, kind and beautiful human being".
Mauao tragedy reminds us landslides are NZ's deadliest natural hazard
Analysis: Much of the risk is invisible, accumulating quietly beneath the surface until a sudden collapse occurs, writes geologist Martin Brook.
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 23 January
Emergency crews have been working through the night searching for people missing after a landslide at Mount Maunganui; Emergency teams have been searching overnight for several people trapped under a… Audio
'Lean on each other': Mayor's advice to residents trapped in Ōakura
Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper says it could take weeks to fix a massive slip blocking the road to Ōakura.
'My home looks like mud and logs': Footage shows vast East Coast damage
Te Araroa on the East Coast remains cut off by road, while over 300 in the region are without power.
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 22 January
Donald Trump has given his speech to world and business leaders at Davos in Switzerland; Deb Glasgow has lived in Ōakura for decades, and says last night's weather was some of the worst she's ever… Audio
Gisborne region prepares for incoming deluge
Up to 350mm of rain is expected to fall north of Tolaga Bay overnight.
