Wildfire Stories

Kiwi Stories

Wildfire stories

Tracer round fired by machine gun believed to have sparked large Waiouru scrub fire

The blaze has so far scorched 3,623 hectares, with firefighters bracing for wind and rain as Defence Force crews keep the site contained.

By RNZ • 2 min read • Last week

Metservice

Waiouru fire spreads over 3800ha, South Island blaze contained

Easing winds and light rain have helped firefighters slow the Waiouru blaze, which now covers 3,800 hectares and may take days to contain.

By Anya Fielding • 4 min read • 5 days ago

Wildfire

FENZ responding to vegetation fire on Walter Peak, smoke visible from Queenstown

Residents in Queenstown have been told to close doors and windows as smoke from a fast-moving fire spreads across Lake Wakatipu.

By RNZ • 2 min read • Last month

Agricultural Technology

El Niño could raise wildfire and water-quality risks in Hawke's Bay, council says

The dry spell could hit farms, rivers and firefighting readiness across Hawke's Bay, with below-normal rain and warmer temperatures forecast.

By Linda Hall • 4 min read • Last month

Auckland Council

Daylight savings prompts warning of summer weather surprises

Aucklanders are being told to brace for dry spells, strong winds and storm risk as a strong El Niño raises summer pressure on water supplies.

By Torika Tokalau • 3 min read • Fri, 25th Sep 2026

Agricultural Technology

Tararua braces for an 'intense' El Niño season

Water restrictions are likely to come in earlier than usual as scientists warn the district faces one of the strongest El Niño events in recent history.

By Rebecca Hogan • 3 min read • Fri, 4th Sep 2026

Agricultural Technology

El Niño expected to be 'strongest in recent history'

Strong winds, dry spells and flooding are more likely across New Zealand as the Pacific pattern strengthens to very strong in September.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Wed, 2nd Sep 2026

Sustainability

Kiwi firefighters head to US to help tackle unprecedented wildfires

The deployment will give New Zealand crews urgent experience as unprecedented blazes threaten the US north-west and western Canada.

By Amy Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 13th Aug 2026

Construction

Call to action if contractors are to survive

Confidence in New Zealand’s civil construction sector has slumped, with only 16 percent of firms expecting a positive outlook amid fewer projects.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Sun, 17th Aug 2025

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

Global Stories

Wildfire stories

Space

EUMETSAT satellite completes Europe's weather network

Faster storm and wildfire warnings are now closer as the full Meteosat Third Generation weather constellation completes its first orbital set-up.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Thu, 3rd Sep 2026

Risk & Compliance

FM doubles resilience credit to USD $825m, broadens support scope

FM has doubled its resilience credit to USD $825m, expanding support to operational and climate risks and launching a new unit for integrated risk management.

By Melvin Hipolito • 3 min read • Thu, 20th Nov 2025