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Natural Disasters stories

NIWA invests $5m in extreme weather research
Agricultural Technology

NIWA invests $5m in extreme weather research

Additional funding will boost flood forecasting and climate adaptation work after recent cyclones exposed gaps in New Zealand's resilience.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Mon, 21st Aug 2023
Working with silt or soil after flooding
Disaster Recovery

Working with silt or soil after flooding

Workers face contamination risks from flood silt, with WorkSafe warning of germs, chemicals and asbestos during clean-up.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 14th Mar 2023
Who is eligible for the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery visa?
Disaster Recovery

Who is eligible for the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery visa?

Specialist engineers, technicians and insurance assessors can be brought in within a week to speed North Island cyclone recovery.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Sun, 26th Feb 2023
The impact of back-to-back storms
Disaster Recovery

The impact of back-to-back storms

Back-to-back storms are exposing weaknesses in Auckland’s ageing drainage system and testing community recovery after record flooding.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Sun, 12th Feb 2023
Planning for the worst case scenario
Risk & Compliance

Planning for the worst case scenario

Families of high-risk workers could face devastating gaps if more employers fail to offer Wills and estate planning.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Mon, 19th Jul 2021
Daily workplace safety tips
Risk & Compliance

Daily workplace safety tips

Workplace injuries can be reduced with routine checks, training and housekeeping, helping employers protect staff and avoid costly downtime.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 15th Dec 2020
Emergency preparedness saves lives in the workplace
Disaster Recovery

Emergency preparedness saves lives in the workplace

Prepared workplaces can cut fatal delays, with alarms, drills and first aid skills helping staff respond within minutes.

By Georgie Hughes • 5 min read • Tue, 18th Aug 2020
Drones are lifesavers in disaster zones
Drones

Drones are lifesavers in disaster zones

Researchers say the technology could triage disaster victims and monitor patients remotely, without touching them, in seconds.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 19th Mar 2018
Liquefaction dust not responsible for Legionnaire’s
University of Otago

Liquefaction dust not responsible for Legionnaire’s

An Otago University study says Christchurch’s liquefaction-affected soil could not support Legionella, ruling it out as a direct cause of the spike.

By Geoff • 2 min read • Tue, 4th Jul 2017
Providing practical, emotional support after a disaster
Disaster Recovery

Providing practical, emotional support after a disaster

Training aims to equip communities with psychological first aid skills to calm survivors, reduce distress and speed recovery after disasters.

By Lewis Hurst • 4 min read • Sat, 1st Jul 2017
Lives of rural New Zealanders at risk?
Agricultural Technology

Lives of rural New Zealanders at risk?

Poor connectivity and patchy health care are leaving 600,000 rural New Zealanders exposed, a health leader says.

By Geoff • 3 min read • Tue, 30th May 2017
Kiwi company launches internal emergency communications feature
Software-as-a-Service

Kiwi company launches internal emergency communications feature

The Panic Button feature is able to override the official internal publishing process in the case of an emergency.

By Kai Ping Lew • 2 min read • Mon, 1st May 2017
Some emergency kits a recipe for disaster
Civil Defence

Some emergency kits a recipe for disaster

Most pre-made emergency kits sold in New Zealand lack key items or offer poor value, Consumer NZ says after testing seven grab-bags.

By Geoff • 3 min read • Sun, 30th Apr 2017
Recent cyclones signal need for better planning
Risk & Compliance

Recent cyclones signal need for better planning

Flood-hit communities are being urged to plan for rising sea levels and more frequent extremes as experts warn current rules lag behind climate risk.

By Staff Writer • 6 min read • Tue, 18th Apr 2017
What to do in a disaster – a guide for health professionals
Disaster Recovery

What to do in a disaster – a guide for health professionals

A new guide aims to help doctors and nurses share a common language as disasters push health systems to respond and recover faster.

By Geoff • 4 min read • Tue, 28th Mar 2017

Global Stories

Natural Disasters stories

3GPP Standards for Satellite IoT – the catalyst for progression, or a Mexican standoff?
Space

3GPP Standards for Satellite IoT – the catalyst for progression, or a Mexican standoff?

Amid a lowered cost to develop satellite networks, questions arise as to whether 3GPP Standards for Satellite IoT will serve as a progression catalyst or incite standstill tensions.

By Alastair Macleod • 7 min read • Thu, 22nd Feb 2024
Government selects ICEYE to strengthen disaster response
Disaster Recovery

Government selects ICEYE to strengthen disaster response

ICEYE will empower national and provincial agencies throughout Australia to enhance country-wide resilience and supply flood and bushfire hazard data.

By Gaurav Sharma • 3 min read • Thu, 7th Sep 2023