Latest fromMinistry of Civil Defence
Weather bomb alert as storm advances on NZ
Emergency and Civil Defence teams were gearing up last night for a weather beating expected to hit within hours.
Residents allowed home after Hawkes Bay wave warning
Hawkes Bay coastal residents are allowed to return home after high waves prompted evacuations.
Lifeguards don't need arrest powers - spokesman
Lifeguards say they do not want the power to arrest people who ignore beach closures, despite calls for them to be given enforcement powers.
NZ's tsunami alert cancelled
New Zealand's tsunami alert has been cancelled but people in coastal areas of the country are still advised to take caution.
'Stupid' NZers rush to watch tsunami
Hundreds of New Zealanders who raced to beaches to watch a potentially catastrophic tsunami were 'stupid', says Civil Defence Minister John Carter.
Tsunami warnings ignored
New Zealanders weren't going to allow a 'peewee' tsunami alert to ruin the last official day of summer yesterday and many ignored warnings.
Tsunami fears over as alert downgraded
The official warning over a tsunami that threatened the entire east coast of New Zealand today has been downgraded to an advisory, but there is still a threat from ocean surges.
Tsunami warnings have mixed results around NZ
Tsunami warnings look to be cancelled as beach-goers who waited all day outside the water start heading home.
Tsunami warning downgraded, but surges may still hit
Civil Defence authorities have downgraded the tsunami warning for New Zealand. However, New Zealand authorities are warning that there could be surges for up to 24 hours.
Kiwis head for the water, as tsunami warning remains
Paua fishermen are diving back into the seas and surfers are out to catch waves even as tsunami warnings stay in place.
Tsunami threat: Warning stays in place for entire east coast
New Zealand east coastal areas aren't out of the woods yet, with Civil Defence authorities and scientists electing keep the tsunami warning in place.
'Crazy' people head to beach to watch tsunami
Crowds are gathering at beaches to watch the tsunami threatening New Zealand, says the coastguard.
Cruise ship evacuated from port as tsunami threat looms
Auckland's ferries have been cancelled and boaties warned to head for deep water as New Zealand faces a possible tsunami.
Tsunami gauges 'stabilising'
Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.
Evacuation warnings as tsunami wave hits Chatham Islands
The first wave has reached the Chatham Islands, after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile overnight. An official tsunami alert remains in place for New Zealand's entire east coast.
Winds fan fire in pine forest
A major fire near Dunedin is continuing its destructive path through a large forestry plantation.
Six evacuated from East Cape village, SH5 closed
The residents of Mangatuna village, north of Tolaga Bay, were moved out this morning as the Uawa River rose from its usual four metres to 11 metres.
Politics 2009: Key, Goff and the recession
A new PM defied the odds as the Govt struggled to deal with the worst recession in decades, and Labour played catch up politics.
'It's pretty cool to be called a hero'
Abby Wutzler ran along the beach of Lalomanu in Samoa screaming at tourists that a tsunami was coming was given a special award for bravery.