Latest fromNatural Disasters

Christchurch earthquake will see long-term GDP rise
The economic impact of the earthquake will be sharply negative in the near term but probably positive for GDP over a longer period, economists say.

Earthquake: Inquiry into gastro outbreak
Two families at a welfare centre in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood are battling gastroenteritis with health authorities concerned the infection was due to contaminated water.

Big aftershock could still be coming
Nearly 100 aftershocks have hit so far hit the Canterbury region, and an expert is warning the biggest one could still be to come.

Heavy rain forces road closures in North Island
Slips and surface flooding are causing havoc for motorists in the lower North Island as heavy rain and gale force winds sweep the region.

Christchurch earthquake, <i>Day 3 updates</i>
Tracking today's events as they happen on Day Three of the Christchurch earthquake disaster.

Key: 100,000 homes damaged in quake
John Key today said an estimated 100,000 homes were damaged by Saturday's 7.1-magnitude earthquake - nearly half of all dwellings in the Canterbury region.

Earthquake victims tell their stories
In Christchurch, everyone has a story to tell. When the quake hit at 4.30am on Saturday, many turned to social media. Read their stories.

Quake-hit workers worried about pay
Many central city businesses cannot open until the damage from the earthquake is fully assessed, and some workers are worried about losing pay.

Quake throws lifeline to building industry - Fletcher shares rise
The Christchurch earthquake is expected to provide a much-needed lifeline for NZ's beleaguered construction sector.

Judge warns 'looters' after quake
Anyone caught looting in the wake of Christchurch's devastating earthquake would be harshly treated by the courts, a judge warned today.

Quake could tip over recession-hit businesses
Saturday's earthquake could prove to be the tipping point for some businesses already squeezed by the recession, a Christchurch business leader says.

Lambs drown as rain floods farmland
A severe heavy rain and gale weather warning is in place for much of the country as widespread flooding affects farmers.

Psychologist warns of delayed earthquake trauma
The emotional trauma of the Christchurch earthquake may not surface for weeks or even months, says a psychologist.

Earthquake costs need to be spread - Key
Cabinet will today meet to get an early overview of the damage caused by the Canterbury earthquake, and John Key says the bill outside private insurance and Earthquake Commission funding will be large.

<i>Liam Dann:</i> Disaster forces Govt to spend up
One upside of the Christchurch earthquake is that nature has unleashed the biggest job creation scheme NZ has seen.

Missing pets add to post quake stress
It wasn't just humans shaken by the big quake - hundreds of terrified pets fled during the tremors.

After the quake... wind and rainstorms
Savage winds battered Canterbury this morning as the province only just begins to pick itself up after Saturday's devastating earthquake.

<i>Chris de Freitas:</i> Best approach to quakes: lessen vulnerability
Chris de Freitas says risk-management planning can help society in practical and economic ways.

Teen thrown from his bedroom
The abiding memory of Xavier Trousselot-Rhodes before an earthquake threw him out of his second-storey bedroom was of the house screaming.