Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Episode Information and Audio

When the Siren Goes Episode 3 – Volcanoes

Beginning with a remarkable recording of an eyewitness recalling the Mt Tarawera eruption of 1886, the programme looks at what would happen in Auckland if a volcano were to erupt. The conclusions of current research are set out, along with a scientific explanation of how and why eruptions occur. An Auckland primary school is visited to see how effective disaster planning is, and a volcanologist reflects on how New Zealanders would face the challenge of living off the land. (duration: 23′50″)

Eyewitness account of 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption – Part One

The first of a two-part interview with Mr A J Parks – who in 1886 was a 17-year-old timber mill worker at Rotoiti – recalling the Mt Tarawera eruption nearly 70 years after the event. DCDR73-TK7 (Sound Archives reference) (duration: 11′37″)

Eyewitness account of 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption – Part Two

The second of a two-part interview with Mr A J Parks – who in 1886 was a 17-year-old timber mill worker at Rotoiti – recalling the Mt Tarawera eruption nearly 70 years after the event. DCDR72 (Sound Archives reference) (duration: 15′52″)

Mt Ruapehu erupts in 1995

On 25 September 1995, Mt Ruapehu began erupting. Track the dramatic news as it developed overnight, from news bulletins which begin at 11pm through to coverage on Morning Report at 6am, and during the afternoon and evening which follows. The 2pm bulletin includes a live interview with a local resident at Rangitau (5km east of the mountain) who had been observing the increasing scale of eruptions.
860A, 860B (Sound Archives reference) (duration: 33′39″)

Mt Ruapehu lahar in 1997

Snow groomer Shane Buckingham talks to Checkpoint about witnessing a lahar from the Mt Ruapehu eruption on 25 September 2007.
sa-cp-070926 (Sound Archives reference) (duration: 6′42″)

Raoul Island’s geothermal characteristics

Veronika Meduna introduces a report from Todd Niall who travelled to Raoul Island, part of the Kermadec Islands located 1000 km to the north of New Zealand. While on the island, he talks to GNS Science volcanologist Brad Scott about the unique geothermal activity which is found there.
Our Changing World segment 12 October 2006 (duration: 10′33″)

Exercise Ruamoko in 2008

Last month a series of tremors under Auckland culminated in a devastating volcanic eruption. The explosive blast shattered windows, damaged buildings, killed and injured people in a three-kilometre radius from the eruption site. If you missed that news, it's probably because this was hypothetical volcano, created by geologists for a real-time national disaster preparedness exercise, called Exercise Ruaumoko. Dacia Herbulock speaks to Jan Lindsey of the University of Auckland and Steve Sherburn of GNS Science about their role in the event, and about scientists' contributions to natural disaster planning - in theory and in real life.
Our Changing World segment 10 April 2008 (duration: 13′42″)