Latest from Natural Disasters

Quake plan: critics force big rethink

A billion-dollar earthquake upgrade affecting about one in 10 commercial and multi-storey apartment buildings is set for a major overhaul.

Investigation into CTV engineer dropped

The civil engineer behind Christchurch's CTV building is no longer under investigation - after an inquiry was dropped upon legal advice.

Ocean of dirt' came down on Afghan village

The spring rainy season had already brought death and destruction to northern Afghanistan.

Editorial: Inaction on flood basin defies belief

Editorial: Four times in a month heavy rain has turned the Flockton Basin in Christchurch into a lake - and the country watches in disbelief that nothing's being done.

Appeal launched for families of Everest avalanche victims

NZ beefs up aid to Solomon Islands

Another strong aftershock has rattled Solomon Islands early this morning, following yesterday's 7.6 quake that's compounded flood misery in the country.

NZ commits a further $1.2m to Solomon Islands aid relief

50,000 affected by Solomon Islands flooding

More than 50,000 people have been affected by the flash floods that have devastated the capital and a number of provinces of the Solomon Islands.

Flood victims left without water, shelter

The condition of about 12,000 people crammed into Solomon Islands evacuation centres is of grave concern, says a Unicef sanitation specialist.

Washington mudslides: Hope dwindles for 174 still missing

Hopes are dwindling of finding any survivors among the 174 people missing after a mudslide buried part of a small Washington state town under 6m of sludge and debris.

Coastal Asia most at risk, says UN

People in coastal regions of Asia, particularly those living in cities, could face some of the worst effects of global warming, climate experts will warn this week.

Lusi fun for daredevils

Former cyclone Lusi proved to be more of a wind bag than a raging beast - to the delight of beach-bound thrillseekers.

Japan's long recovery from disaster

In some areas, the number of people who have died from illnesses related to the quake and tsunami is higher than those who died directly from the disasters.

Kids significantly affected by quakes

The ongoing impacts of the Canterbury earthquakes are disproportionately impacting children from low-income families, with health problems and family violence on the rise, a new report says.

Christchurch cleans up after latest natural disaster

PM tells Christchurch: 'Hang in there'

PM John Key has today seen firsthand the damage wrought by the bad weather that has hammered Christchurch, telling flooded business owners to "hang in there".

'We were caught out'

'We're obviously going to review the sandbagging issue,' says Christchurch's mayor amid residents' complaints the council failed to handle yesterday's floods.

Brian Rudman: CTV victims deserve corporate manslaughter law

There were times when whistles should have been blown and loudly, but were not, writes Brian Rudman. Is it any wonder the police are taking their time?