Category: disasters
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Severe Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain Warnings in Force for North Island
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 12:09pm on Monday, November 17, 2025, indicates a broad trough over the North Island moving slowly east on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Severe Weather Warnings and Watches for Heavy Rain are in…
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Severe Weather Warnings Issued for New Zealand
A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of New Zealand, with a front over the Tasman Sea expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the South Island tonight and during Tuesday. Humid northeasterlies will affect the…
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Fatal Crash in Ngaruawahia Claims One Life
One person died in a single-vehicle crash in Ngaruawahia overnight. Police were called to Saulbrey Road at around 8pm following reports of the incident. One person was found deceased at the scene. The road was closed while the Serious Crash…
DisastersLaw EnforcementTransportation Fatal CrashNgaruawahiaSaulbrey RoadSingle-Vehicle CrashSerious Crash UnitAccidentDeathNew Zealand Police
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Search to Resume for Missing Man off Northland Coast
The search will resume tomorrow for a man missing off the coast of Pataua South. The man was one of two people onboard a boat that was reported overdue on Friday night. On Saturday morning, the boat was located with…
DisastersLaw Enforcement NorthlandPataua SouthCoastguardSearch and RescuePolice Dive SquadMissing PersonNew Zealand Police
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Four Dead in Sanson House Fire
Police have confirmed that four people have died in the Sanson house fire. The bodies of two children were recovered from the scene, with family present to bless them with karakia. Efforts are underway to locate the body of a…
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Fatal House Fire in Sanson Claims Multiple Lives
Police are investigating a house fire in Sanson, southwest of the town on State Highway 1, where several people are believed to have died. Emergency services were called to the property at approximately 2.30pm yesterday. Police have stated that they…
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Search Continues for Missing Fisherman off Northland Coast
The search has resumed for a fisherman believed missing in the sea off Pataua South, Northland. The man was one of two people on a boat that was reported overdue on Friday night. The 17-foot boat was expected back at…
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Severe Weather Expected to Hit New Zealand
A front is forecasted to move east across New Zealand, bringing with it a strong, moist northerly flow. MetService issued the severe weather outlook at 10:03am on Sunday, November 16, 2025, noting that the front is expected to arrive on…
WeatherDisasters MetServiceSevere WeatherFiordlandWestlandOtagoBay of PlentyMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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Fatal House Fire in Sanson Claims Lives
A house fire in Sanson has resulted in several fatalities. Emergency services were called to the property southwest of the town around 2:30pm today. Fire and Emergency NZ have handed the scene to the Police, who will investigate the fire's…
DisastersLaw Enforcement Sansonhouse firefatalitiesemergency servicespolice investigationState Highway 1ManawatuNew Zealand Police
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Serious Crash Blocks State Highway 30 Near Te Teko
State Highway 30 near Te Teko, Whakatāne, is currently blocked following a serious crash this evening. Police were called to the scene near the Kawerau Road intersection around 4:50 PM. Initial reports indicate that two vehicles were involved, and there…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisastersSocial IssuesAustralasia
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House Fire Closes State Highway 1 in Sanson
State Highway 1 near Sanson is closed due to a house fire. Police and emergency services were called to the property southwest of the township around 2:30pm. The road closure affects the stretch of State Highway 1 between Phillips Street…
DisastersLaw EnforcementTransportation House FireState Highway 1SansonRoad ClosureEmergency ServicesPhillips StreetSpeedy RoadNew Zealand Police
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Body Recovered After Boating Incident in Pataua South
A body has been found during the search for an overdue boat in Northland, which went missing last night with two people onboard. Family members reported the 17-foot vessel overdue around 9pm, after it failed to return to Pataua South…
DisastersLaw EnforcementSocial Issues Pataua SouthNorthlandboating incidentsearch and rescueCoastguardRoyal New Zealand Air ForcePoliceNew Zealand Police
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Fatal Crash on Tokerau Beach Claims One Life
One person died following a single-vehicle crash on Tokerau Beach in the Far North. Police were notified of the incident, involving a rolled 4WD, around 7:30 p.m. on Friday. One person was found deceased at the scene. The two other…
DisastersLaw EnforcementTransportationSocial Issues Fatal CrashTokerau BeachFar NorthSingle-Vehicle AccidentAccident InvestigationAir LiftNew Zealand Police
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Woman Rescued from Rocks at Castor Bay
A woman trapped on rocks at Castor Bay Beach was rescued by police and the Maritime Unit. Police received a call from the woman, reporting she was stuck on rocks between Castor Bay Beach and Kennedy Park. The incident occurred…
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Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Strikes Pacific-Antarctic Ridge
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. The quake, which occurred at 09:41:29 UTC on November 13, 2025, was centered at 56.697S, 142.069W, with a depth of 10 km. The epicenter was located approximately 2792.9 km ESE of Waitangi,…
WeatherDisastersAustralasiaGeneral Weather EarthquakePacific-Antarctic RidgeWaitangiDunedinUSGSSeismologyUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Serious Crash Closes State Highway 3 in New Plymouth
A serious two-vehicle crash on Devon Road (SH3), Sentry Hill, New Plymouth, has prompted a response from emergency services. Police were called to the scene around 5.05pm. Initial reports indicate serious injuries. The road is currently closed, and diversions are…
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Fatal Truck Crash Closes Culverden Road
One person died in a crash on Culverden Road/SH7, Culverden, Hurunui, this afternoon. The single-vehicle crash, where a truck appeared to have struck a tree, was reported to Police around 12pm. The driver of the truck, who was the sole…
DisastersTransportationLaw Enforcement Fatal CrashCulverdenCulverden RoadSH7HurunuiNew Zealand PoliceAccident
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Bystander Rescued After Getting Into Trouble Watching Whiritoa Blowhole Rescue
A bystander watching a rescue operation at the Whiritoa blowhole found themself in need of rescue after being washed into the sea. The incident occurred this morning after two people got trapped by the incoming tide. Waikato Police are urging…
WorldDisastersSocial IssuesAustralasia WhiritoaWaikatoSearch and RescueSurf Life SavingAuckland Westpac RescueBlowholeCoastal SafetyNew Zealand Police
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Serious Crash Blocks Culverden Road/SH7 in Canterbury
Culverden Road/State Highway 7 in Culverden, Hurunui, is currently blocked due to a serious crash this afternoon. Police were called to the scene of the single-vehicle crash, which occurred between Long Plantation Road and School Road, around 12pm. Initial reports…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationLaw EnforcementDisastersAustralasia
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Rainy End to the Week, Sunshine Expected on Sunday
New Zealand is set for a rainy end to the workweek, with a low-pressure centre bringing rain and showers to most regions. A Strong Wind Watch is in effect for Wellington and Wairarapa until 2pm today, with northwest winds potentially…
WeatherAustralasiaDisastersScience & Technology MetServiceWellingtonWairarapaQueenstown MarathonOscar ShivitiMetService New Zealand
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for New Zealand
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 9:56am on Thursday, November 13, 2025, indicates a low confidence of severe weather over the next few days. On Saturday, November 15, a front weakens as it moves east across the North…
WeatherAustralasiaDisastersGeneral Weather MetServiceSevere Weather OutlookWellingtonWairarapaFiordlandWestlandMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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Fatal Crash Claims Life Near Mangapai
A crash near Mangapai on Wednesday night has resulted in one fatality. The single vehicle crash was reported on Waiotira Road at 10.50pm. The passenger died at the scene despite medical assistance. The Serious Crash Unit investigated overnight. The driver…
WorldDisastersLaw EnforcementTransportationSocial IssuesAustralasia
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Fatal Crash Closes Waiteitei Road Near Wellsford
A police investigation is underway following a fatal crash near Wellsford early this morning. At approximately 1.40am, a single vehicle was reported to have crashed on Waiteitei Road. The vehicle collided with a tree, resulting in the death of the…
Politics and GovernmentTransportationLaw EnforcementDisastersAustralasiaSocial Issues
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast for North Island
A severe weather warning has been issued for the North Island, with a low and associated fronts expected to bring heavy rain and gales. The warning, issued at 8:47pm on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, covers a period from tonight through…
WeatherDisastersGeneral Weather MetServiceSevere Weather WarningNorth IslandHeavy RainBay of PlentyGisborneTairawhitiNZ MetService
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast for North Island
A severe weather warning has been issued for the North Island, with a low and associated fronts bringing heavy rain and gales. The warning, updated at 5:00pm on Wednesday, includes a Heavy Rain Watch for southern Waikato, Waitomo, and Taupo.…
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Fatal Crash in Whitianga Closes Road
One person has died following a serious two-vehicle crash in Whitianga this morning. Emergency services were called to the intersection of Tairua Whitianga Road and Moewai Road just after 10am. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, one person died…
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Serious Crash Blocks State Highway 25 in Whitianga
State Highway 25 in Whitianga is currently blocked at the intersection with Moewai Road due to a serious crash. Police were called to the scene shortly after 10 a.m. and have reported that two people sustained injuries, one serious and…
TransportationDisastersLaw EnforcementAustralasia State Highway 25WhitiangaWaikatoTraffic IncidentRoad ClosureAccidentMoewai RoadNew Zealand Police
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Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast for New Zealand's North Island
A severe weather warning has been issued for the North Island of New Zealand, with a low-pressure system and associated fronts expected to bring heavy rain and gales. The warning, issued at 9:43 am on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, indicates…
WeatherGeneral WeatherDisasters MetServiceSevere Weather WarningNorth IslandBay of PlentyGisborneHeavy RainGalesNZ MetService
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Fatal ATV Incident in Waitahora
A person has died following an ATV incident on a property in Waitahora. Emergency services were called to the Weber Road property shortly after 8.30am yesterday. Sadly, the person died at the scene. WorkSafe has been advised, and the death…
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Severe Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast for New Zealand
A low-pressure system is expected to move southeastwards over northern and central New Zealand on Thursday, bringing rain to many areas. Heavy Rain Watches are in place for the upper North Island, with further updates expected closer to the event.…