Emergency Services
Ōtaki fire largely contained but building destroyed
The building has been reduced to its frame, a witness says, as crews battle the third fire in the Kāpiti town this past week.
Ōtara police operation affects bus services
Auckland Transport says some bus services will be disrupted.
More than 100 problems found in boarding house fire probe
Fire doors were not up to scratch, smoke detectors didn't work, and alarms weren't monitored, an investigation spurred by the Loafers Lodge blaze has found.
Hawke's Bay mayors agree emergency management system needs overhaul
Hawke's Bay Mayors all agree that the emergency management system needs a complete overhaul as they accept a report detailing the flaws in the Civil Defence response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The review… Audio
Eskdale holiday park owner on Cyclone Gabrielle report
A new report into the Hawke's Bay's Civil Defence response to Cyclone Gabrielle has found there weren't enough trained emergency leaders, leading to confusion and burnout.
It also found controllers… Audio
Hastings Mayor on Civil Defence response to Cyclone Gabrielle
Mayors and iwi leaders in Hawke's Bay admit it's time to throw out the emergency management system and start again.
A new report into the region's Civil Defence response to Cyclone Gabrielle has… Audio
Independent review slams Cyclone Gabrielle response
A review of Hawke's Bay's Civil Defence response to Cyclone Gabrielle has found emergency leaders were overconfident about their readiness for a disaster and didn't plan for the worst-case scenario.
… Audio
Hawke's Bay residents call for apology from Civil Defence
Some Hawke's Bay residents are calling for an apology from Civil Defence leaders as a new review into Cyclone Gabrielle reveals flaws in their response to the catastrophic storm.
The independent… Audio
Open fires banned in Hawke's Bay
The region has dried out and no rain is forecast in the next 10 days, heightening the risk of wildfires.
Homicide investigation underway in Gisborne after fatal party
Police numbers are being boosted in Gisborne after two men were killed in a mass brawl on Saturday night.
Three others were taken to hospital with stab wounds.
Detective Inspector Dave de Lange is… Audio
Neighbours of fatal Gisborne party left shaken
Neighbours of a house where a 100-person brawl took place are shaken after a night of yelling, screaming and a heavy police presence.
Two people died at a 21st birthday party in Gisborne on Saturday… Audio
Police Minister Mark Mitchell on Gisborne stabbings
Police have spent the night patrolling the scene of two fatal stabbings at a birthday party in Gisborne on Saturday.
Two people were killed, three are in hospital and one person has been arrested… Audio
One dead after quad bike crash in Crownthorpe, Hawke's Bay
The crash happened on a private property near Hastings on Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters battle large bush fire in the Far North
Helicopters are joining fire crews to fight the fire which started last night near the Whangapē Harbour.
Person found dead at Hurunui house fire
A person has been found dead after a house fire north of Waipara in Canterbury.
One dead after vehicle rolls in North Otago
The accident happened on Shines Road, Island Cliff on Friday morning.
Fire crews put out Ōtaki workshop blaze
Firefighters have successfully extinguished a large blaze at a rural workshop in Ōtaki, north of Wellington.
No active fire found on Christchurch's Port Hills - FENZ
The smoke is believed to be from controlled burn-offs in areas surrounding the Port Hills.
Tākaka man who died in mysterious circumstances named
A man found dead in rural Golden Bay has been named as, Peter Michael Miller, 40.
20,000 more retail crimes reported in a year
There were nearly 20% more reported victimisations of stores than the year before, new police figures show.