Category: disasters
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Severe Weather Warning: Gales Threaten Chatham Islands
A severe weather warning has been issued for the Chatham Islands due to a deep low-pressure system, according to MetService. The system, located just west of the islands, is expected to bring northerly gales today and tomorrow morning. A watch…
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Snow and Gales Forecast for New Zealand's South Island and Chatham Islands
A severe weather warning has been issued by MetService at 8:04pm on Friday, June 6, 2025, forecasting heavy snow for inland parts of the South Island and potential severe gales for Westland and the Chatham Islands. A strong, cold southeasterly…
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Crash Closes State Highway 10 at Waipapa
State Highway 10 is closed at the intersection with Waipapa West Road following a two-vehicle crash reported just before 7pm. Two people have sustained serious injuries. Diversions are in place via Waipapa Road. Motorists are advised to avoid the area…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement CrashState Highway 10WaipapaNorthlandTraffic IncidentNew Zealand PoliceWaipapa West Road
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Fatal Truck Accident Claims Life on SH1, Kaikōura
A pedestrian has died after being struck by a truck on State Highway 1 at Peketā this morning. Emergency services responded to the incident, which occurred between Inland Kaikōura Road and Rakanui Road, at approximately 9:20 am. The pedestrian was…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement Fatal CrashSH1KaikōuraPeketāSerious Crash UnitAccidentDeathNew Zealand Police
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Fatal House Fire in Waitara
One person died in a house fire on Browne Street, Waitara, this morning. Emergency services were called to the scene at 7:30 a.m. According to Detective Senior Sergeant Debra Gower, the deceased is believed to have been the only occupant…
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Serious Crash Closes State Highway 1 at Kaikōura
State Highway 1 is closed at Peketā, Kaikōura, due to a serious crash involving a truck and a pedestrian. Emergency services responded to the incident, which occurred around 9.20am between Inland Kaikōura Road and Rakanui Road. The Serious Crash Unit…
WorldTransportationDisasters State Highway 1KaikōuraPeketācrashSerious Crash UnittrafficNew Zealand Police
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Snow and Gales Forecast for New Zealand
A severe weather warning has been issued by MetService at 9:26am on Friday, June 6, 2025, forecasting heavy snow for the eastern South Island and potential severe gales for Westland and the Chatham Islands during Friday and Saturday. A strong,…
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Southern Police Warn of Black Ice and Snow on Southland Roads
Southern Police are urging motorists in Southland and Otago to exercise extreme caution due to hazardous road conditions. Black ice has already caused accidents, and snow is expected to worsen conditions later today. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in…
WeatherTransportationDisasters Southern PoliceSouthlandOtagoblack iceroad safetyPolice Media CentreNew Zealand Police
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Road Snowfall Warnings Issued Across New Zealand
Multiple road snowfall warnings have been issued across New Zealand by MetService, predicting hazardous conditions on key routes. The warnings, issued at 8:37pm on Thursday, June 5, 2025, cover several passes and highways in the South Island and one in…
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Severe Weather Watch: Heavy Snow and Gales Forecast for South Island
A severe weather watch has been issued for parts of the South Island, with heavy snow expected in Otago and Canterbury, and possible severe gales in Westland. A strong, cold southeasterly flow is forecast to move up the country on…
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Snow and Gales Forecast for South Island
A severe weather warning has been issued by MetService at 8:00pm on Thursday, June 5, 2025, forecasting heavy snow for Otago and Canterbury, and potential severe gales for Westland. A strong, cold southeasterly flow is expected to move across the…
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Body Located in Boyle River, Hurunui
A body has been found in the Boyle River, Hurunui, after a search was initiated earlier today. Police were alerted at approximately 3:15 pm after a helicopter involved in the search located the body. While formal identification is pending, authorities…
DisastersLaw Enforcement Boyle RiverHurunuiBody FoundSearch and RescueAccidentNew Zealand PoliceDeath
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Heavy Snow Warning Issued for Otago and Canterbury
A severe weather warning has been issued by MetService for Otago and Canterbury, with heavy snow expected, and possible severe gales about Westland during Friday and Saturday. A strong, cold southeasterly flow is predicted to move up the country, bringing…
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New Zealand Braces for Cold Snap with Snow and Strong Winds
MetService is forecasting a cold weekend for New Zealand, with snow expected in several regions. Following a night of intense rain, a "cold cup of winter" is predicted from Friday. Heavy Snow Watches and Warnings have been issued for Southland,…
WeatherAustralasiaDisastersTransportationGeneral Weather MetServiceSnowCold WeatherMmathapelo MakgabutlaneWānakaMetService New Zealand
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Road Snowfall Warnings Issued Across New Zealand
MetService has issued multiple road snowfall warnings across New Zealand, predicting snow accumulation on several key routes. The warnings, issued at 11:14 am on Thursday, June 5, 2025, cover various passes and highways. The Lewis Pass (SH7) is under a…
WeatherTransportationDisastersGeneral Weather MetServiceRoad Snowfall WarningLewis PassArthurs PassPorters PassHaast PassMetService - Road Snow
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Family of Liam Hockings Calls for Accountability After Loafers Lodge Fire
The family of Liam Hockings, who died in the Loafers Lodge fire, has released a statement expressing their grief and calling for accountability. Hockings' family described him as "much loved – an intelligent, caring, and unforgettable character" whose loss has…
Social IssuesPolitics and GovernmentDisastersLaw Enforcement Liam HockingsLoafers LodgeNewtownNew Zealand PoliceFireAccountabilityGrief
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Severe Weather Warnings: Gales and Heavy Snow Forecast for New Zealand
Severe weather warnings have been issued by MetService for parts of New Zealand. A strong northwesterly flow is affecting the North Island, while a cold southeasterly flow is expected to bring heavy snow to the South Island. People are advised…
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Three Charged with Manslaughter in Loafers Lodge Fire
Three individuals have been charged with manslaughter following the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge on May 16, 2023. The announcement was made by Detective Senior Sergeant Timothy Leitch, Wellington Area Investigations Manager. The charged individuals include two men, aged 75…
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Severe Weather Outlook: Cold Southerly Flow Expected to Hit New Zealand
A large, deep low-pressure system is expected to bring a strong, cold southerly flow to central New Zealand on Saturday, June 7, 2025, according to MetService. Snow is anticipated down to 200-300 metres in parts of the eastern South Island,…
WeatherDisastersGeneral Weather MetServicesevere weathersnowgalesweather warningChatham IslandsMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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SH2 Matawai Road Closed Between Gisborne and Opotiki
State Highway 2, Matawai Road, between Gisborne and Opotiki is closed due to multiple slips. The closure affects the stretch from the intersection with Back Ormond Road, Gisborne, to Opotiki. Roading crews are assessing and clearing obstructions. Due to the…
WeatherTransportationDisasters Road ClosureState Highway 2Matawai RoadGisborneOpotikiNew Zealand Police
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Severe Gale Warning Issued for Parts of North Island
Severe gale northwesterlies are expected to batter parts of the North Island, with MetService issuing strong wind warnings for Wairarapa, Wellington, and the Tararua District. The warning, issued at 7:13am today, forecasts gusts of 120km/h in exposed areas. The Orange…
WeatherAustralasiaDisastersTransportationEnergyGeneral Weather
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Severe Weather Watch: Heavy Rain, Gales, and Snow Expected Across New Zealand
A severe weather watch has been issued by MetService, warning of heavy rain and gales across many parts of New Zealand. The conditions are expected to ease from Wednesday night into Thursday, with the possibility of heavy snow in Canterbury…
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales Expected Across New Zealand
A severe weather warning has been issued by MetService at 8:54pm on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, forecasting heavy rain and gales across many parts of New Zealand. The conditions are expected to ease Wednesday night or during Thursday, with the…
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Bus Crash Closes Mossburn Five Rivers Road
A bus crash on Mossburn Five Rivers Road, near Diack Road, has led to the road's closure. The incident occurred around 3.45pm, involving a bus carrying 17 passengers, including the driver. Several passengers sustained minor to moderate injuries. Recovery crews…
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Name Released in Timaru Fatal Crash
James Campbell McKenzie, 69, from Timaru, died in a crash on State Highway One, Timaru, on May 21. Police have released his name and extend condolences to his family and friends. Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Law EnforcementTransportationDisasters fatal crashTimaruState Highway OneJames Campbell McKenzieNew Zealand PoliceAccidentDeath
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Fatal Crash in Te Puke Claims One Life
A man died following a crash on No 3 Road, Te Puke, last night. Police were called to a Te Puke address this morning after the man was found deceased. Authorities later discovered he had been involved in a crash…
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Severe Weather Watch: Heavy Rain, Gales, and Snow Expected in New Zealand
A severe weather watch has been issued across New Zealand, with heavy rain and gales expected in many areas on Wednesday and Thursday. Heavy snow is also possible about Canterbury. A low over the Tasman Sea is moving southeast and…
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast Across New Zealand
A severe weather warning has been issued by MetService, predicting heavy rain and gales across many parts of New Zealand on Wednesday and Thursday. The warning, released at 10:05 am on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, highlights the potential for heavy…
WeatherDisastersTransportation MetServiceSevere Weather WarningHeavy RainGalesTasman SeaOrange WarningNZ MetService
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New Zealand Braces for Cold Snap and Snow
A cold southerly flow is set to spread across New Zealand, bringing snow and strong winds over the next few days, according to MetService. While warning amounts of snow are not expected, the conditions may cause travel disruptions, particularly in…
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Severe Weather Watch: Heavy Rain, Gales, and Snow Expected in New Zealand
A severe weather watch has been issued for New Zealand, with heavy rain and gales expected in many areas on Wednesday and Thursday. Heavy snow is also possible about Canterbury on Thursday. The MetService warns that a low over the…