Akaroa residents still waiting for return home after storm
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RNZ News
18 hours ago
- RNZ News
More Kiwi firefighters to help battle Canadian blazes
Fire and Emergency said it had received a formal request for assistance from its Canadian counterpart. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone New Zealand is again sending more fire fighters to Canada to help battle raging wildfires, which have burned through 6 million hectares of land. Tens of thousands have had to evacuate from fires across the country since they began breaking out in May . Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said it had received a formal request for assistance from its Canadian counterpart and would send four more firefighters to join the 50 already there . It first sent a small, specialist crew at the start of July, and followed it up a week later with a larger group of volunteer firefighters . The existing deployments were in Manitoba province, while the new group - which included three taskforce leaders and a helicopter co-ordinator - would go to Alberta, FENZ said. In a statement, Deputy National Commander Steph Rotarangi said the winter conditions meant New Zealand was well-placed to provide international support. "It's an opportunity for our specialists to learn from the experience and utilise their skills in challenging conditions," she said. "It's a long, hard slog for their crews, so our team heading over will help provide relief and respite for the teams that have been battling these fires for a long time." Across Canada in early August 2025, there were 747 active fires, including 64 in Alberta. Photo: AFP The new deployment would link up with Australians as part of a larger group. "I wish to thank them for answering the call and spending a significant period of time away from their loved ones who will be holding the fort at home," Rotarangi said. "I would also like to thank the team already in Canada, who have been working incredibly hard and achieving great results over the past three weeks." Across Canada, there were 747 active fires, including 64 in Alberta. Climate change has been contributing to a longer, hotter and more severe wildfire season in the country . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Temperatures plunge to -7C in frosty start for South Island
Aoraki/Mt Cook seen from across Lake Pukaki. Photo: Susan Rebergen A "severe frost" for Canterbury and Otago has seen a chilly start to the week for parts of the South Island. Metservice said the coldest temperatures were in the Canterbury High Country and inland Canterbury. A chilly morning for the South Island and inland parts of the North Island today ❄ For your local forecast: For more information on what causes a cold night: Forecaster Matthew Ford said Mt Cook Aerodrome dipped down to -7C overnight and in the high country Pukaki recorded -6C. In Otago, Dunedin Airport also dipped to -6C. Ford said although it would have been a cold night for the South Island, with grounds temperature of -6C to -7C amounting to a severe frost, for this time of year it was not uncommon for inland Canterbury and Central Otago to have temperatures around -5C to -6C degrees. As the day progressed, most of the South Island could expect clear skies, he said. Much of the North Island was also expected to be fine on Monday but some showers and easterlies were expected in the north, from Coromandel and north of Auckland, as well on the east coast around Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Woman missing amid floods, heavy snow in NSWs Hunter, New England and Mid North Coast
By Melissa Martin , ABC News Emergency flood warnings are in place for parts of NSW. Photo: ABC / Amelia Bernasconi A woman is missing in floodwaters as parts of New South Wales prepare for another day of wild weather. The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has responded to more than 1455 incidents due to the snow, wind and rain that lashed the state's Upper Hunter region, Northern Tablelands and Mid North Coast. The woman was swept away near Cessnock following heavy rain, while vast areas of the New England region were blanketed in snow, leaving up to 200 vehicles stuck in several locations along the New England Highway. Areas of the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions suffered strong winds and rainfall across the day, leading to scores of buildings being damaged and roads blocked. Snow and ice in Glencoe, located on the northern tablelands in NSW. Photo: ABC / Kim Honan On Sunday morning, an emergency warning was in place to evacuate from some parts of Scone while major flood warnings have been issued for areas of Tamworth, Gunnedah and Manilla. Residents in and around Armidale and Glen Innes are being advised to stay near shelter today following the heavy snow that has left all major roads into the city cut off by snow and ice. Several sections of the New England Highway were closed by snowfall on Saturday. Photo: Supplied / NSW SES Emergency crews are searching this morning for a woman who has been swept away by floodwaters near Cessnock. Police said a car attempted to drive through floodwaters at Rothbury on Saturday night when it became stuck. The 27-year-old driver and her passenger, also believed to a woman in her 20s, tried to get out of the vehicle, with the passenger getting washed away. A 40-year-old man was rescued at the same location after he also became trapped in floodwater. Residents of parts of Scone were warned to evacuate early on Sunday morning amid rising floodwaters. Photo: ABC News / Amelia Bernasconi The SES said the almost 15,000 calls for help had been mostly for storm damage. Spokesperson Emily Barton said it was a busy night for volunteers. "Just in the 24 hours to 5am … crews in our northern zone responded to nearly 800 incidents alone," she said. "That was closely followed by our SES volunteers in north-western area, which is the New England region." The Bureau of Meteorology predicts rainfall will ease on Sunday, however strong winds will sweep through north-east parts of the state. This house in West Kempsey lost its roof as strong winds caused damage across the Mid North Coast. Photo: ABC News Barton said the state was not out of danger yet. "The rain will ease today, which I guess is some good news for community members, however riverine levels will continue to rise throughout today and into tomorrow," she said. Meanwhile, residents in and around Armidale and Glen Innes have been advised to stay near shelter. Essential Energy said more than 27,000 customers remained without power across the New England and Mid North Coast, with the worst hit areas Kempsey, Armidale, Bulahdelah and Walcha. Armidale was blanketed in snow and residents are being told to remain near shelter on Sunday. Photo: ABC News / Liana Boss Multiple road closures remain in place across the affected regions. The New England Highway is closed in several places, the Oxley Highway is closed between Bendemeer and Walcha and the Kamilaroi Highway is closed between Breeza and Curlewis. However, Waterfall Way has reopened between Armidale and Ebor. On Saturday, 30 passengers on the NSW TrainLink service from Sydney to Armidale were stopped at Walcha Road Station about 6pm due to a blockage on the tracks. The train was forced to return to Tamworth about 2am, unable to reach Armidale. Ice and snow have kept parts of the New England Highway closed on Sunday morning. Photo: ABC News / Kim Honan - ABC News
