Tess Brunton

Travellers to and from Queenstown faced a chaotic end to the school holidays after reports of an explosive device shut down the airport, led to cancelled flights and left them travellers stranded. The… Video, Audio

Flights are cancelled, passengers are stranded and workers are standing in the rain outside Queenstown Airport as authorities deal with a bomb threat.

Police say the terminal was cleared as a safety… Audio

Tess Brunton is in Queenstown where a potential bomb threat has evacuated the airport earlier this morning. The airport said it activated its emergency security protocols shortly after 8.30am and… Audio

More than 300,000 people are being potentially supplied drinking water that doesn't have the necessary protective barriers. The country's water regulator, Taumata Arowai, has named 27 councils that… Audio

Some businesses around Queenstown finally have relief after two weeks of boiling water to keep afloat amid a cryptosporidium outbreak.

20,000 people living in Frankton, Shotover Country, Lake Hayes… Audio

The main river in Gore, the Mataura, is expected to keep rising until this evening.

RNZ reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Morning Report. Audio

Towns right across the bottom of the South Island are dealing with significant flooding this morning.

A regional state of emergency was declared at six-o'clock Thursday night after more than a dozen… Audio

Returning to our earlier story, Gore is under a state of emergency after significant surface flooding inundated the town. Our reporter Tess Brunton is in Gore and speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed]… Video, Audio

The number of confirmed cases of a parasitic gastro outbreak in Queenstown has almost doubled to 15. A boil water notice is still in place for anyone connected to the public supply including tourist… Audio

Southern voters say the cost of living and housing are top of their list as they head into the upcoming election. Tonight, the finance spokespeople for the top four polling parties will face-off in… Audio

South Dunedin residents are coming to terms with the hazards facing their community.. The South Dunedin basin, home to more than 13,000 is at risk from climate change, flooding and rising groundwater… Audio

Dunedin ratepayers are shocked by the resignation of deputy mayor Sophie Barker, who says it was untenable to stay in the role. She says the breach of a confidential council meeting last month was the… Audio

Dunedin's Deputy Mayor Sophie Barker has resigned, citing an untenable working relationship with the Mayor Jules Radich.

It comes after a complaint against Strath Taieri Community Board chair, Barry… Audio

Farmers are bracing for hotter, drier and windier months ahead as the return to El Niño heralds possible drought conditions for parts of Aotearoa. NIWA predict El Niño will be declared in the coming… Audio

The chair of an Otago local board is refusing to explain his racist comments towards a staffer at a local pub. Strath-Taieri board chair, Barry Williams, has been censured by Dunedin City Council for… Video, Audio

Glenorchy residents are grappling with how to protect their community from floods and earthquakes.

They've recently learnt their Otago town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu is at risk from liquefaction… Audio

The danger of wildfires is on the rise with forecasts of a hotter, drier, windier summer.

Fire and Emergency says the wildfire season could kick-off earlier this year, and people should prepare their… Audio

Tourism is riding high on the West Coast, with visitors and workers returning in droves.

The region was hit hard during the pandemic, and it struggled to attract staff once the tourists did return.

… Audio

It's hoped a new Otago trail extension will get thousands on their bikes and take local communities along for the ride. The Clutha Gold Cycle and Walking Trail has nearly doubled in length with the… Audio

Day turned into night and swamps on fire, that's what New Zealand firefighters faced while battling blazes in Canada. Wildfires have caused tens of thousands of people to evacuate, destroying homes… Audio