Category: disasters
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One Dead in Sydenham House Fire
One person has died following a house fire in Sydenham this afternoon. Police were called to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand at the Korimako Lane property around 4pm. One person was transported to hospital in critical condition, where they…
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Police Warn of Rising Nitrous Oxide Use While Driving
Bay of Plenty Police are expressing concern over a notable rise in the use of nitrous oxide by individuals while driving. The substance, often consumed from small silver canisters, poses a significant risk to all road users. Nitrous oxide can…
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Fatal Crash on Taihape-Napier Road
A fatal crash involving two vehicles and a pedestrian occurred on Taihape-Napier Road in Rangitikei this morning, resulting in one death. The incident was reported shortly after 11:20 am. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries at the scene. The drivers of…
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Fatal Crash on Taihape-Napier Road Claims One Life
A fatal crash occurred on Taihape-Napier Road in Rangitikei this morning, resulting in the death of a pedestrian. The collision, involving two vehicles and the pedestrian, was reported shortly after 11:20 am. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.…
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Names Released in Ripirō Beach Deaths
Police have named the two men who died following a water-related incident at Ripirō Beach on January 3. The deceased have been identified as Johnathan Brian Webster, 54, of Dargaville, and Joseph Wiremu Webster, 43, of Tauranga. Police extended their…
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Body Recovered in Waikato River, Believed to be Missing Man
Police have recovered a body from the Waikato River, which is believed to be that of 25-year-old Teananga Tiotia. Mr. Tiotia was reported missing on Saturday, January 10. Police Search and Rescue, alongside the National Dive Squad, had been actively…
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Body Recovered in Waikato River Believed to be Missing Man
Police have recovered a body from a vehicle submerged in the Waikato River, believed to be that of missing 39-year-old Aydan Brown. Brown was reported missing from Chartwell on August 17, 2025. Officers were searching the river for another missing…
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State Highway 1 Closed in Rakaia After Serious Crash
State Highway 1, also known as Rakaia Highway, is currently closed near Hatfield Overdale Road due to a crash involving two vehicles. The incident was reported at 5:50pm. Three individuals have sustained serious injuries, while a fourth person has suffered…
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Body Found After Man Fails to Return from Swim at Lake Tikitapu
Police responded to a report of a man missing after a swim at Lake Tikitapu/Blue Lake around 10:30 PM on Friday, January 9. The man's body was found shortly after 1:00 AM on Saturday, January 10. "Our thoughts are with…
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Warnings for Central and Southern New Zealand
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds across central and southern New Zealand, effective through to early Monday morning. An active frontal system is bringing significant rainfall and severe northwest gales to the affected areas.…
WeatherGeneral WeatherDisasters MetServiceSevere WeatherHeavy RainGalesWestlandCanterburyNZ MetService
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Warnings for Central and Southern New Zealand
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds across central and southern New Zealand, effective through to early Monday morning. An active frontal system is expected to bring significant rainfall and severe northwest gales. Heavy Rain…
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Swimmer Missing in Waikato River, Hamilton
A search is underway for a swimmer missing in the Waikato River near Graham Island in Hamilton. Police were alerted to the incident around 3:30 PM on Tuesday after reports of a swimmer struggling and being swept downstream. The individual…
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One Dead in Akaroa Water Incident
A person has died following a water-related incident in Akaroa this afternoon. Police were alerted around 1:15 PM after a person was pulled from the water by the Harbourmaster. Despite efforts to revive the individual with CPR, they could not…
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New Zealand Braces for Heavy Rain and Severe Gales
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain and severe gale northwesterlies affecting central and southern New Zealand from Saturday evening through to Monday morning. An active frontal system is expected to bring significant rainfall and strong winds to…
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Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Strikes Kermadec Islands Region
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in the Kermadec Islands region on January 9, 2026, at 12:13:36 UTC. The earthquake's epicenter was located at 31.260S, 177.823W, at a shallow depth of 10 km. This seismic event was situated 788.2 km northeast…
WorldDisastersEnvironment EarthquakeKermadec IslandsSeismologyUSGSNatural DisasterGeologyUSGS Earthquake Reports
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MetService Issues Severe Weather Warnings for Central and Southern New Zealand
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds across central and southern New Zealand, effective from Saturday night through to early Monday morning. A front is expected to bring heavy rain to the southwest of the…
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Homicide Investigation Launched into Baby's Death in Auckland
Police have initiated a homicide investigation following the death of a 10-week-old baby boy in Auckland. The infant was taken to Pukekohe Maternity Hospital on January 2 in a critical condition, prompting staff to alert the authorities. The baby was…
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Teenager Arrested with Large Cannabis Haul After Dangerous Driving
Police have arrested a 16-year-old after a vehicle fled from an officer and was later found to be carrying a large amount of cannabis. The incident began around 5:50 pm yesterday when a police officer, en route to a robbery…
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Police Name Victim in Fatal Timaru Crash
Police have released the name of the man who died in a single-vehicle crash discovered on Seadown Road in the Timaru District on December 22. He was 66-year-old Gary Kenneth Penman of Timaru. Police extend their condolences to Gary’s family…
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Two Rescued After Jetski Breakdown Off Taranaki Coast
Two men were rescued after their jetski broke down off the Taranaki coast on January 7. The pair were near New Plymouth Airport when an anchor line became caught in the jetski's intake, disabling the engine and leaving them adrift.…
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New Zealand Braces for Heavy Rain and Severe Gales
MetService has issued severe weather warnings for heavy rain and strong northwesterly gales affecting central and southern New Zealand from Saturday night through to early Monday morning. A front is expected to bring heavy rain to the southwest of the…
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One Dead in Early Morning Crash on State Highway 50
One person has died following a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 50, Korokipo Road, southwest of Waiohiki. Police were alerted to the incident around 2:20 AM. The Serious Crash Unit conducted an examination of the scene, which led to a…
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Search for Missing Tramper Graham Garnett Enters Limited Phase
The search for missing tramper Graham Garnett, 66, in Kahurangi National Park has moved into a limited search phase. Yesterday's efforts involved six search teams and a New Zealand Defence Force NH90 helicopter, with one team continuing into the evening.…
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Wairarapa Police Seize $4 Million in Drugs, Make Arrests
Wairarapa Police have seized more than $4 million of the drug gamma butyrolactone (GBL), commonly known as Fantasy, following a tip-off from the public. The operation led to the arrest and charging of two individuals. On Monday night, police located…
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New Zealand Braces for Significant Heatwave and Severe Weather
New Zealand is set to experience significantly warmer temperatures than average this weekend, from Thursday, January 8 to Monday, January 12, as the remnants of an Australian heatwave cross the Tasman Sea. Eastern regions, particularly Hawke's Bay, are expected to…
WeatherWorldGeneral WeatherClimate ChangeDisastersEnvironment HeatwaveSevere WeatherHawke's BayMetServiceFoehn EffectRainfallMetService New Zealand
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Police Seek Information on Stolen Vehicle After Whangārei Robbery
Police are appealing to the public for information regarding a vehicle stolen during an aggravated robbery in Whangārei on Boxing Day. The incident occurred at approximately 12:20 AM on December 26th at an address on Collingwood Street, Raumanga. According to…
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Search Intensifies for Missing Tramper in Kahurangi National Park
The search for 66-year-old tramper Graham Garnett, who went missing in Kahurangi National Park, is continuing with enhanced resources. A New Zealand Defence Force NH90 helicopter has been deployed again, and four specialist canyon teams are en route to Motueka…
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Name Release: Fatal Incident in Wanaka
Police have released the name of the man who died in a fatal incident in Wanaka on January 5. He has been identified as 85-year-old David Simmers of Wanaka. Emergency services were called to a property following reports of a…
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Fatal Crash in Dairy Flat Claims One Life
One person has died following a serious two-vehicle crash on Pine Valley Road in Dairy Flat. Emergency services were alerted to the collision around 12:50pm yesterday. The road, which was closed following the incident, reopened around 5pm. The Serious Crash…
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Police Urge Drivers to Slow Down After Excessive Speeding Incidents
Police in the Manawatū district are urging drivers to slow down following a concerning number of excessive speed incidents over the past 48 hours. Despite an increased police presence, Sergeant Ryan Harrison noted that some drivers are still traveling at…
Politics and GovernmentLaw EnforcementTransportationDisasters