Latest from Ministry of Civil Defence

Defence force steps up help for Chch fires

People, including Defence Force firefighters, and equipment is being deployed to help contain the wildfires.

Crews fighting fire in high spirits

It's a long, hot slog fighting a fire as big and complex as the one in the Hawke's Bay in the blazing heat. But it's also satisfying work.

Power restored after fire

Unison restored power to about 700 customers last night after it was cut during the blaze along Waimarama Rd. Unison relationship

Elderly woman missing for six days

About 60 people - including police, firefighters and defence personnel - are continuing to search for an elderly Auckland woman who has been missing for six days.

Quake alert botch-up 'showed lack of training'

A West Coast Civil Defence warning of a possible big earthquake on the Coast was a "misinterpretation of the facts" caused by lack of training and understanding, says an independent report.

Fiji hit by 7.2 earthquake

An earlier tsunami warning has been lifted following the magnitude 7.2 quake which struck off the coast Fiji.

40,000 still without power in Gisborne

Power is expected to be restored before nightfall for Gisborne residents, the electricity company says.

String of earthquakes rattle the country

A string of light earthquakes have hit several parts of the country since Seddon was rattled by a 4.7 magnitude quake last night.

New powers on Wellington buildings

Wellington City Council's recovery manager officially has the power to make building owners share the results of their building inspections with the council.

Funeral for quake victim Louis Edgar

Several hundred people have gathered to pay their respects to Kaikoura man Louis Edgar, who perished in last week's earthquake, is to be held this afternoon.

Weather packs up as residents flee dam

The weather is closing in on a small Kaikoura township that sits under a new dam that may soon burst.

Inland Rd open to Mt Lyford residents

Mt Lyford residents have limited use of Kaikoura's Inland Rd.

'Please evacuate immediately'

Residents south of Kaikoura in Goose Bay have been told to be prepared to be gone for at least 10 days while Civil Defence monitors a quake landslide upstream.

Aftershock forces people out of homes

A strong aftershock sends fearful people out of their homes for the night.

Brownlee accused of 'vilifying' scientist

Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has been accused of vilifying a Geonet scientist who spoke out about the need for a better tsunami warning system in New Zealand.

Portaloos, chemical toilets for Kaikoura

Around 50 per cent of buildings in Kaikoura have had their rapid assessment completed.

John Key: Take a bow, New Zealand

Prime Minister John Key writes exclusively for the Herald on Sunday after the Kaikoura earthquake.

Quake: We've been forgotten - residents

Rural residents are frustrated at being forgotten almost a week after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake shattered Kaikoura.