Latest fromNatural Disasters
Early warning for global disasters
The world's leading climate scientists are gathering in the United States this week.
Big wet to become even wetter over next nine days
Waterlogged North Island areas won't get an immediate reprieve as forecasters warn of more "wet events".
Volcano collapse underlines threat of tsunami
A huge undersea volcano has dramatically reduced in size after partly collapsing more than 100 metres toward the ocean floor.
Flood-hit towns begin clean-up
As rising floodwaters threatened to wash away his home of four years all Peter Brake could do was wait, watch and hope for the best.
Homeowners forced to evacuate
Bay of Plenty flood levels are dropping, but 15 people have been evacuated from their Whakatane homes.
More rain to lash country
The eastern Bay of Plenty town of Opotiki remains isolated this morning.
Pakistan plea: 'We're dying of hunger'
Central Punjab, Pakistan's fertile agricultural belt, is now besieged by unprecedented floods.
Mt Hutt's year from Hell
It's been a tough year for Mt Hutt skifield, with three deaths, an avalanche and now 1200 skiers trapped overnight in bad weather.
Skiers freed as Mt Hutt road reopens
Many of the skiers enjoyed their night on Mt Hutt, including a quiz, hot food, and "spooning" - while at least two now have a coffee date.
High winds trap skiers on Mt Hutt
About 1200 skiers - including several hundred schoolchildren - remain trapped on Mt Hutt this morning after gales of over 200km/h closed the only road off the mountain.
Winds drop but skiers still stuck
Around 1200 mountaingoers are still trapped at Mt Hutt skifield, with conditions still too dangerous to leave.
I just tried to stay on top, says avalanche survivor
A skier caught in an avalanche on Mt Hutt has described how he fought to stay on top of the snow.
Kiwis caught in Vanuatu quake
A NZ man last night told of fleeing his Port Vila office building when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu, sending frightened residents and tourists rushing for high ground.
China mudslides strike lethal blow
Rescuers dug through mud and wreckage searching for 1,300 people still missing. Photos / AP
Mt Hutt skifield reopens after shock avalanche
An avalanche closed Mt Hutt today but the mountain has now reopened and though some skiers were partially buried, no one was hurt.
Sean Penn slams Wyclef's Haiti efforts
Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn has poured cold water on Wyclef Jean's bid for the Haitian presidency.
Mfat trying to contact Kiwi in flood zone
Efforts to contact a New Zealander known to be in India's remote Himalayan region of Ladakh hit by flash floods are continuing today.
Russian wheat crisis may aid NZ farmers
Russia last week banned grain exports for the rest of the year after a severe drought and wildfires destroyed 20 per cent of its wheat crop.
NZ man missing in flooded northern India
A New Zealand man is missing in a flood-stricken area of northern India.