Latest from Natural Disasters

Life experiences boost quake preparation

People who have experienced accidents are better prepared for disaster, a new study finds.

Terrifying video: Cyclone from space

Huge swirling grey clouds are seen, capturing the immense power of Cyclone Debbie.

The strange thing about Cyclone Debbie

Cyclone Debbie brings scary prediction on future destruction of cyclones in Australia.

Cyclone turns deadly, evacuations start

Cyclone Debbie has claimed its first life as evacuations are underway in Queensland.

CTU questions Lab/Greens economic rules

Labour and Greens are releasing a set of economic promises today.

Is your home in a most at-risk suburb?

Heavy storms, rainwater run-off and low-lying land pose a flood risk to about 16,000 properties in the Auckland region.

Kaikoura quake record: 21 ruptured faults

Scientists describe November jolt as an "incredibly complex earthquake" in which some land was offset by as much as 12 metres.

Quake has far-reaching underground impact

The impact quakes can have on city structures has been made frighteningly clear over recent years.

Wellington pipes leak million litres a day

Quake-damaged pipes in Wellington are leaking around a million litres of water every day.

Canterbury employers urged to be flexible

Employers need to be flexible and allow staff to tend to their families and properties in the wake of the Port Hills fire.

Drones could be used in disasters

Christchurch and Japanese academics are developing new drone technologies that would be able to locate people buried in wreckage following natural disasters.

Watch: Drones spy on NZ volcanoes

Kiwi scientists could soon have a new way to safely get an up-close look at erupting volcanoes: send in the drone.

Suncorp's NZ insurance posts 57% drop

Suncorp Group's New Zealand insurance units posted a 57 per cent decline in first-half profit.

5.1 jolt a 'classic' aftershock - scientist

There was nothing unusual about the late-night 5.1 quake that shook Marlborough and the lower North Island on Wednesday, says a scientist.

Could earthquake trigger 'The Big One'?

International scientists have claimed the 7.8 Kaikoura quake has raised the potential threat of another large NZ event - but a Kiwi scientist says that's unlikely.

Woman survives tornado in flying bath

A woman took shelter in a bathtub and the tornado lifted the tub out of the home and deposited it in the woods - she still survived.

Quake-struck region in central Italy hit again

Four quakes of magnitude 5.2 and higher struck near the hill town of Amatrice, 100km northeast of Rome.

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.