Latest from Natural Disasters

Quake death toll expected to climb to 182
As police release more names of people who died in Christchurch's devastating earthquake, they say the toll is likely to be 182 but it could take months for the last bodies to be identified.

Missing Kiwi found alive and well
A Kiwi missing in Japan for whom authorities had "significant concerns" has been found alive and well, MFAT has confirmed.

Memorial services for quake victims to be held around NZ
In addition to the National Memorial Service in Christchurch tomorrow, events will be held in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.

Missing Kiwi's family still hopeful
A Hawke's Bay couple are desperate for news of their missing son who they fear may have died in the Japan disaster. Peter Setter, 45, is the only New Zealander in Japan who authorities have "significant concerns" about, following news

How to shut down a nuclear reactor
As Japan deals with the after-effects of its strongest earthquake on record and an even more devastating tsunami, the world’s attention is focussed on the Fukushima nuclear power plant

Smoke rising from stricken plant
Smoke is billowing from the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japanese media report, after the Government assured a fire that broke out at one of the plant's reactors earlier today was under control.

Fire at nuclear plant now 'invisible'
The latest fire to break out at a quake-hit Japanese nuclear power plant is under control, with the government saying the "fire and smoke is now invisible and it appears to have gone out of its own accord," following a report from the plant

Heroes of Fukushima - 50 remain at Daiichi
A group of workers - dubbed the Fukushima 50 - are working around the clock at the crippled nuclear complex to save Japan from a national..

Relocated Cup games would be 'a gold mine' for Auckland
Auckland is likely to make a huge economic gain should the Christchurch Rugby World Cup games be relocated, Auckland interest groups say.

NZ USAR team ready to start Japan search
New Zealand's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team in Japan are settled in the northern part of the country and about to start work helping to find survivors of Friday's magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Key holds out hope for Christchurch RWC matches
Christchurch's AMI stadium could be capable of hosting Rugby World Cup matches, Prime Minister John Key said today as the Government studied reports on damage caused by the February 22 earthquake.

PM should 'come clean' over RWC in Christchurch
John Key should just tell people the truth about what he knows of Christchurch's chances of hosting the RWC, says opposition leader Phil Goff.

Christchurch to be stripped of RWC games - report
A secret report into the state of Christchurch's AMI Stadium reportedly reveals it won't be able to host RWC games, a British news website says.