Residents took to social media to talk about the explosion and the orange glow that lit up the sky. Video by Alison Palmer and taken from No. 2 Line.
Latest Video
Local Focus: Rob Tucker and the cream of NZ photojournalists to auction images for Taranaki Hospice
From the Princess Di to his cleaner, Rob Tucker's photography has affected people around him for over half a century.
Local Focus: Sam Johnson's music adventure in paradise
Music producer Sam Johnson works from the Taranaki coastal settlement of Ōakura.
Local Focus: The coastal scientist harnessing the power of community
Jim Dahm explains why community involvement brings better outcomes to our beautiful coast.
Local Focus: Capital Connection's fight for survival
Cars vs trains - Manawatū to Wellington passenger rail service is popular but with carriages over 50 years old, it will disappear without more funding.
Local Focus: Nature's hidden gem with giants in Manawatū
Walking among ancient native giants in northern Manawatū.
Local Focus: Life lessons from Axel - aged 10
10 year old Axel Goldsbury is helping feed his family using survival skills he learned online.
Local Focus: Dan Cowper's dream for the extreme
A record crowd descended on Dan Cowper's property in Turakina last weekend, experiencing the annual Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge.
Flooding of the Whanganui River
After heavy rain the Whanganui River has caused minor flooding around Whanganui City.
Allied workers protest
Public Service Association Allied, Public Health and Technical health workers protesting outside the Whanganui DHB.
Focus Live: Andrew Little makes planned-care announcement
Andrew Little announces the Government’s plan to tackle delays in hospital waiting lists caused by Covid-19. Video / Supplied
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Saturday 30th April Wrap
There were seven new Covid deaths announced on Saturday, and 7043 new community cases. Video / NZ Herald
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Thursday 28th April Wrap
There were 9047 new community cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, and the Ministry of Health revealed 13 more Covid-related deaths. Video / Dean Purcell / Mark Mitchell / Michael Craig
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Tuesday 26th April Wrap
There were 6,380 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand on Tuesday and a further four Covid-19 related deaths. Video / NZ Herald / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Sunday 3rd April Wrap
18 Covid-related deaths were reported on Sunday. Video / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig / Alex Burton
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Thursday 31st March Wrap
There were 15,250 new cases of Covid-19 in the community on Thursday, and 22 Covid-related deaths. Video / Mark Mitchell / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig
Exercise Skytrain
Exercise Skytrain is an exercise based at RNZAF Base Ohakea using the C-130 Hercules and a training activity for No 40 Squadron. Skytrain gives 40 Squadron the opportunity to do a range of flying training, including flying over unfamiliar and challenging terrain and coordinating pallet drops into drop zones. Video / Bevan Conley
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Wednesday 30th March Wrap
Chris Hipkins announced a new initiative aimed at improving access to rapid-antigen testing to people in rural areas. Video / Mark Mitchell / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Tuesday 29th March Wrap
There were 34 Covid-related deaths in New Zealand on Tuesday, a record for the outbreak so far. Video / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig / Alex Burton / NZ Herald
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Monday 28th March Wrap
There were 11 Covid-related deaths in New Zealand on Monday. Video / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig / Alex Burton
Focus Live: Vaccine passes and mandates end April 4
From 11.59pm on Monday 4 April, vaccine passes will not longer be required. The Government will not require mandates in education, police or Defence Force workers and those workplaces using them.
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Thursday 17th March Wrap
There were tn Covid-related deaths in New Zealand on Thursday, and 19,566 new cases. Video / NZ Herald
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Tuesday 15th March Wrap
There were 960 people with Covid-19 in hospitals around the country on Tuesday, and two more deaths. Video / Mark Mitchell / NZ Herald
Eastown Fire
Firefighters are battling at massive blaze at Eastown Timber & Fencing. Video / Bevan Conley
Local Focus: Dumplings, tea and CCP at La Fiesta
La Fiesta is Whanganui's month-long festival for women.
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Sunday 27th February Wrap
There were 14,941 new cases of COVID-19 discovered in the community on Sunday. Video / Jed Bradley / Alex Burton / Michael Craig / Dean Purcell
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Friday 25th February Wrap
There were five deaths and a record 12,011 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand on Friday. Video / Jed Bradley / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig / George Heard
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Thursday 24th February Wrap
6137 new community cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday, and one person has died with the virus. Video / Jed Bradley / Mark Mitchell / George Heard / Michael Craig / Dean Purcell
Focus: Covid Outbreak | Wednesday 23rd February Wrap
New Zealand moves closer to Phase 3 of the government's Omicron response, with a record 3297 new community cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday. Video / George Heard / Mark Mitchell / Dean Purcell / Michael Craig
Local Focus: Colour for Cross Street
Community initiative to make Whanganui road more people-friendly in the short term.
Focus: Cyclone Dovi causes widespread damage across North Island
Cyclone Dovi packed a punch across many parts of New Zealand today, with howling gales and heavy rain causing widespread damage. Video / NZ Herald
Local Focus: Live at Lads for the kids
Lads and dads fundraising for Starship Children's Hospital with a live gig this Saturday.
Focus: What to expect from Cyclone Dovi
WeatherWatch head forecaster Phil Duncan tells us what to expect from Cyclone Dovi. Video / NZ Herald
Local Focus: Get ready for Zine Fest
Whanganui Zine Fest to put DIY publishing on show.
Titewhai Harawira | A lifetime of activism
Titewhai Harawira, the matriarch - mother of eight children, 70 mokopuna and 25 great-great-grandchildren - has spent a lifetime fighting for Māori rights, women’s rights and social justice. Video / Maori Television
Watch: Severe flooding in Taranaki
Taranaki is experiencing Severe flooding following a MetService Red weather warning for heavy rain in the region. Video / Imogen Quigley / Kayla O'Connor / Kade Bellve / Julie-Anne Mowat
Water water everywhere
A heavy rain watch for Waitomo, Taumarunui, Taihape, Whanganui and Manawatu remained in place until 5pm on Sunday, with a red warning in force in Taranaki.