Cyclone Debbie has claimed its first life as evacuations are underway in Queensland.

Labour and Greens are releasing a set of economic promises today.

Heavy storms, rainwater run-off and low-lying land pose a flood risk to about 16,000 properties in the Auckland region.

Scientists describe November jolt as an "incredibly complex earthquake" in which some land was offset by as much as 12 metres.

The impact quakes can have on city structures has been made frighteningly clear over recent years.

Quake-damaged pipes in Wellington are leaking around a million litres of water every day.

The EQC said people affected by last week's storms have three months to lodge a claim.

Scientists have put a recent spate of Central North Island quakes down to long-term tectonic "stretching" rather than worrying volcanic activity.

A National MP who challenged Brian Tamaki's "gay" earthquake slur is to resign.

A group who lost their only children in the Christchurch quake feel failed by two Govts.

Airbus is making a play to replace NZ's ageing Hercules by showing off its big military airlifter this week in a bid to woo the public and Defence chiefs.

A large sinkhole which appeared yesterday caused consternation among residents of a Punakaiki neighbourhood.

Employers need to be flexible and allow staff to tend to their families and properties in the wake of the Port Hills fire.

Christchurch and Japanese academics are developing new drone technologies that would be able to locate people buried in wreckage following natural disasters.

Kiwi scientists could soon have a new way to safely get an up-close look at erupting volcanoes: send in the drone.

Suncorp Group's New Zealand insurance units posted a 57 per cent decline in first-half profit.

There was nothing unusual about the late-night 5.1 quake that shook Marlborough and the lower North Island on Wednesday, says a scientist.

International scientists have claimed the 7.8 Kaikoura quake has raised the potential threat of another large NZ event - but a Kiwi scientist says that's unlikely.

A West Coast Civil Defence warning of a possible big earthquake on the Coast was a "misinterpretation of the facts" caused by lack of training and understanding, says an independent report.

COMMENT: Cash donations to transparent and accountable Kiwi NGOs is the best way to make money count.

The world could be set to end in October this year, when a giant mysterious planet collides with our own - according to a conspiracy theorist.

Steve Braunias looks back on a year of thinking dangerously.

A 24-year-old man has been charged with the burglary of a Christchurch home during the tsunami evacuation early on November 14.

Scientists are still trying to understand the strange tsunami activity that occurred in last month's 7.8 Kaikoura Earthquake - and have called upon people to help them.

Quake ravaged Kaikoura is doing its best to embrace the Christmas spirit.

When Kaikoura locals told visiting PM Bill English the Govt effort was "piss poor" in the quake-strewn region, Gerry Brownlee let them have it.

School leavers remarkably unaffected by earthquakes, surprising research finds.

The Earthquake Commission and the Insurance Council of New Zealand have struck a deal to stop double ups on assessing property.

A video explaining what causes tornadoes.

The Govtt will re-double its promotion of the "Alpine Pacific Triangle" to get tourists back to quake-hit Kaikoura, Hanmer and Christchurch.