Historical emergencies

A nationwide state of national emergency was declared on 25 March 2020 at 12:21pm due to COVID-19 and was extended six times. The state of national emergency ended on 13 May 2020 at 12:21pm and was replaced by a National Transition Period. The state of national emergency covered all of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands, Stewart Island, and other offshore islands. The National Transition Period was terminated at 1.53pm on Monday 8 June 2020.

Visit covid19.govt.nz to get the latest information about Aotearoa New Zealand's response to COVID-19 and what you can do to protect yourself.

Widespread flooding in the lower South Island resulted in evacuations in Milford, Gore, Mataura and Wyndham, and extensive road closures across the Southland region.

A State of Emergency was declared for the Fiordland Community Board Area on 3 February 2020 owing to flooding in the Fiordland area. On 4 February States of Emergency were declared in for the Southland Region, including Gore, and for the Clutha District owing to widespread flooding. The State of Emergency for the Clutha District was lifted on 7 February. The State of Emergency for Southland ended on Tuesday 18 February and was replaced with a Transition Notice.

The beach and marine tsunami warning has been cancelled.

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the magnitude 7.0 Kermadec Islands region earthquake at 10.55am.

Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand.

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the magnitude 7.7 New Britain Region Papua New Guinea earthquake at 12.58am 15 May.

Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand.

A 7.6M earthquake occured at 5.18pm on Wednesday 5 December 2018 southeast of Loyalty Islands. A no tsunami threat national advisory was issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management.  

A National Advisory: No Tsunami Threat to New Zealand message was issued at 3:39am on 30 October 2018 following a magnitude 6.2 earthquake south-west of Taumarunui, at 3.13 pm New Zealand time.

A National Advisory: No Tsunami Threat to New Zealand message was issued at 4:04am on 7 September 2018 following a magnitude 8.1 earthquake near Fiji at 3:49am New Zealand time.

A National Advisory:No Tsunami Threat to New Zealand message was issued at 11:03am on 22 August 2018 following a magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Vanuatu.

Cyclone Gita - states of local emergency

Christchurch City Council including Banks Peninsula declared at 1430 hrs on 20 February and terminated at 1130 hrs on 21 February 2018

Buller District declared at 1553 hrs on 20 February and terminated at 1225 hrs on 21 February 2018.

Grey District declared at 1740 hrs on 20 February and terminated at 1000 hrs on 21 February 2018.

Selwyn District declared at 1840 hrs on 20 February 2018 and terminated at 1500 hrs on 21 February 2018.

Westland District declared at 1900 hrs on 20 February and terminated at 0900 hrs on 21 February 2018.

Taranaki CDEM Group area declared at 1950 hrs on 20 February 2018 and terminated at 1200 hrs on 21 February 2018.

Nelson Tasman CDEM Group area declared at 1920 hrs on 20 February and terminated at 1200 hrs on 23 February 2018.

New Plymouth District declared at 1200 hrs on 21 February and terminated at 1100 hrs on 25 February 2018.

Local states of emergency were declared on 1 February 2018 for Dunedin City District and Buller District in response to heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Fehi. All declarations were terminated by 3 February 2018.