Category: disasters
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales for South Island
MetService has issued a severe weather warning at 9:40 am on Monday, December 15, 2025, for parts of the South Island, citing the likelihood of heavy rain and severe northwest gales. An active front preceded by strong, moist northerlies is…
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Fatal Crash in Waipa Claims One Life
One person died following a two-vehicle crash in Waipa last night. The crash on Arapuni Road was reported just after 8:40 pm. One person died at the scene, and three others sustained serious injuries. Arapuni Road remains closed near Monckton…
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast for South Island
MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning for parts of the South Island, forecasting heavy rain and severe northwest gales. An active front, preceded by strong and moist northerlies, is expected to move over the South Island on Monday, followed…
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Fatal Crash in Mataura Claims One Life
One person died in a single-vehicle crash in Mataura late last night. Police were called to the scene on Oakland Street at approximately 10.05pm. Tragically, the sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The Serious Crash…
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Severe Weather Outlook: Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast for New Zealand
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:14 am on Sunday, December 14, 2025, indicates that a front will move rapidly northeast from the South Island onto the North Island on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. This front is expected…
WeatherAustralasiaDisastersGeneral Weather MetServiceSevere WeatherWeather ForecastHeavy RainStrong WindsMarlboroughMetService - Severe Weather Outlook
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Outlook for New Zealand
A severe weather outlook issued by MetService at 10:27am on Saturday, December 13, 2025, indicates a front moving northeast across New Zealand. The front is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to both the South and North Islands.…
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Motorcyclist Dies in Kaitaia Crash
One person died following a crash on State Highway 1, Kaitaia, last night. The single vehicle crash, involving a motorcycle, was reported near Victoria Valley Road just before 8:50pm. The rider was transported to hospital in a critical condition, however…
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New Zealand Police Staff Honored with Bravery Awards
Five New Zealand police officers have been recognized with the New Zealand Bravery Awards for their courageous actions in life-threatening situations. Commissioner Richard Chambers expressed his pride in the recipients of the NZ Bravery Medal (NZBM). These awards acknowledge individuals…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementSocial IssuesDisasters New Zealand Bravery AwardsPoliceRichard ChambersCyclone GabrielleRees RiverWaikato RiverEmergency ServicesNew Zealand Police
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Fatal Crash Closes Fitzherbert East Road
One person died following a two-vehicle crash on Fitzherbert East Road, State Highway 56, in Palmerston North. Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 12:30pm after reports of the serious incident. The Serious Crash Unit conducted a thorough…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisastersSocial Issues Fatal CrashPalmerston NorthFitzherbert East RoadState Highway 56Serious Crash UnitAccidentFatalityNew Zealand Police
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Crash Blocks Northbound Lanes on Dunedin Southern Motorway
A crash involving a logging truck and a car has blocked northbound lanes on the Dunedin Southern Motorway. The incident was reported around 3:30 p.m. and occurred between the Kaikorai Valley Rd turnoff and the Caversham Valley Road on-ramp. Emergency…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement CrashSouthern MotorwayDunedinNew Zealand PoliceLogging TruckTraffic DelayAccident
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Serious Crash Closes Fitzherbert East Road
One person is in serious condition following a two-vehicle crash on Fitzherbert East Road, east of Palmerston North. Police were called to the scene at approximately 12:30pm. The road is currently closed, and motorists are advised to avoid the area.…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisasters Fitzherbert East RoadSH57Palmerston NorthSerious Crash UnitTraffic IncidentAccidentCentralNew Zealand Police
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Police Issue Kayaking Safety Advice
New Zealand Police are urging kayakers to take precautions before heading out on the water this summer. This reminder follows a recent incident where the Police Maritime Unit, aboard Lady Elizabeth IV, responded to a call for a kayaker who…
Politics and GovernmentDisastersLaw EnforcementAustralasiaState GovernmentsSocial Issues kayakingwater safetyNew Zealand PoliceSenior Sergeant Craig PickeringWellington Marine Rescue CentreLady Elizabeth IVsearch and rescue
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New Lynn House Fire Not Suspicious
Police have determined that the fatal house fire in New Lynn on December 8 is not suspicious. A scene examination at the Kohekohe Street property was completed yesterday, along with a post-mortem examination. Police will continue inquiries into the man's…
Social IssuesDisastersLaw Enforcement New LynnHouse FireFatalKohekohe StreetNZ PoliceJarred WilliamsonAccidentNew Zealand Police
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Body of Missing Swimmer Found at Lake Wainamu
The body of a missing swimmer has been found at Lake Wainamu, New Zealand Police have confirmed. The Police National Dive Squad was deployed to the lake near Bethells Beach as part of the search effort. An initial response, coordinated…
Law EnforcementDisastersSocial IssuesAustralasia Lake WainamuBethells BeachNew Zealand PolicePolice National Dive SquadSARDrowningSearch and Rescue
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Crash Blocks Tairua Road, Hikuai – No Injuries Reported
Tairua Road is blocked between McBeth and Staircase Roads, near the bridge, following a single-vehicle crash. Police responded to the incident at approximately 2:50 PM. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. The road is expected to remain blocked for some…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisasters Tairua RoadHikuaiWaikatoTraffic IncidentRoad ClosurePolice Media CentreNew Zealand Police
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Crash Blocks Northbound Lane on Waikato Expressway
A crash has blocked the northbound lane on State Highway 1, part of the Waikato Expressway, between the Gordonton Road on-ramp and the Tahuna Road off-ramp. The two-vehicle crash occurred around 3:15 pm, according to reports. Fortunately, no injuries have…
TransportationLaw EnforcementDisasters Waikato ExpresswayState Highway 1OhinewaiGordonton RoadTahuna RoadCrashTraffic DelayNew Zealand Police
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Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake Strikes South of Kermadec Islands
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck south of the Kermadec Islands on December 9, 2025, at 03:08:57 UTC, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake was centered at 32.625S, 177.559W, with a depth of 10 km. Its location was approximately…
Science & TechnologyWorldAustralasiaDisasters EarthquakeKermadec IslandsUSGSSeismologyNatural DisasterHicks BayUSGS Earthquake Reports
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Man Dies at Karioitahi Beach After Water Incident
A 26-year-old man has died after getting into difficulty in the water at Karioitahi Beach on Monday night. Police were contacted at about 7.10pm after reports of two men struggling to return to shore. Surf Life Saving’s SAR team responded…
WorldDisastersSocial IssuesAustralasiaLaw Enforcement Karioitahi BeachdrowningaccidentCounties ManukauSurf Life SavingPolice Eagle helicopterNew Zealand Police
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Two Dead in Foxton Beach House Fire
Two people have died in a house fire at Foxton Beach, police have confirmed. Emergency services were called to the Queen Street house around 5 a.m., with reports of two people unaccounted for. Manawatu Area Commander Ross Grantham said that…
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Search Continues for Missing Swimmer at Lake Wainamu
The search for a missing swimmer at Lake Wainamu, Bethells Beach, is ongoing. Police were alerted at 6.10pm on Monday after the swimmer failed to resurface. According to Waitematā West Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Jon Winthrop, the 23-year-old man…
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House Fire in Foxton Beach: Two People Unaccounted For
Emergency services are attending a house fire on Queen Street in Foxton Beach after reports were made just after 5am that a house was completely on fire. Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand are investigating the cause. Two people…
DisastersLaw EnforcementSocial Issues Foxton BeachHouse FireQueen StreetEmergency ServicesInvestigationNew Zealand PoliceManawatu
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Person Dies in New Lynn House Fire: Police Investigation Underway
A person has died following a house fire in New Lynn, Auckland, prompting a police investigation. Emergency services responded to a call at a Kohekohe Street property at 1.23pm on December 8th. Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie of Waitematā CIB…
DisastersLaw Enforcement New Lynnhouse fireMegan GoldieWaitematā CIBKohekohe StreetAucklandFatalityNew Zealand Police
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Severe Weather Warnings Issued for South Island, New Zealand
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for parts of the South Island, New Zealand, effective Sunday, December 7, 2025. An active front moving northwards is expected to bring heavy rain and northwest gales. The front is forecast to weaken over…
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Car Fire Closes State Highway 26 in Tirohia
State Highway 26 in Tirohia, Hauraki, is currently blocked between Quarry Road and Cadman Road due to a car fire this afternoon. Police were called around 2.20pm following reports of a car on fire on the side of SH26. No…
TransportationDisastersLaw Enforcement State Highway 26TirohiaHaurakiCar FireRoad ClosureEmergency ServicesNew Zealand Police
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Severe Weather Outlook: Gales and Rainfall Expected in South Island
A front approaching the south of the South Island on Tuesday is expected to bring a strengthening northwest flow over the southern part of the island. According to the MetService, there is a low confidence that northwesterlies could reach severe…
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Severe Weather Warnings Issued for South Island, New Zealand
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for parts of the South Island, New Zealand, effective Sunday, December 7, 2025. An active front is expected to bring heavy rain and northwest gales, weakening as it moves over central New Zealand on…
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Severe Weather Warnings Issued for South Island, New Zealand
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for parts of the South Island, New Zealand, effective Sunday, December 7, 2025. An active front is expected to bring heavy rain and northwest gales, weakening as it moves over central New Zealand on…
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Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain and Gales Forecast for South Island
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the South Island, forecasting heavy rain and northwest gales. An active front is expected to move onto the South Island on Sunday, bringing adverse conditions before weakening over central New…
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Heavy Rain Warning Issued for Fiordland
MetService has issued a Severe Weather Warning for Fiordland, anticipating heavy rain on Sunday due to an active front. The public is advised to stay informed with the latest forecasts. The Orange Heavy Rain Warning is in effect for Fiordland…
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Residents Evacuated in Hāwera Following Discovery of 'Item of Concern'
Police responded to an incident on Quin Crescent, Hāwera, at approximately 2:10 p.m. today, prompting the evacuation of residents after an item of concern was discovered on the property. Cordons have been established at the intersections of Rimu Street and…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementMilitaryDisasters Hāweraevacuationitem of concernNew Zealand Defence ForceExplosive Ordnance DisposalTSB HubQuin CrescentNew Zealand Police