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.

At 2:11pm on Monday 9 December 2019, Whakaari White Island erupted. The eruptions were short-lived and generated an ash plume to ~12,000ft above the vent. Forty seven people were on the island at the time of the eruption, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities. A key focus of the response has been on supporting the victims, their friends and families and on recovery of bodies that remain on or in the vicinity of the island. 

• Links to key information for affected people and for people visiting the area.

A local state of emergency was declared in the Timaru District on 7 December 2019 due to flooding in the Rangitata area. The state of emergency was lifted on 13 December 2019.

Updates and advice about the fire at the New Zealand International Convention Centre on Hobson Street in central Auckland is available on Auckland Council's Our Auckland website:  https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2019/10/fire-in-auckland-central-city/

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 local state of emergency was declared in the Westland District at 1745hrs on 26 March 2019 due to severe weather.

For further updates please go to: https://www.facebook.com/emergencywestcoast

A state of local emergency was declared at 8.00am Wednesday 6 February 2019 in the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management Group area due to the effects of the Pigeon Valley Fire.

The state of emergency expired at 8:00 am, 27 February 2019.

A boil water notice was issued on Friday 1 February 2019 for Martinborough Township. An Emergency Mobile Alert was issued on Friday 1 February 2019 and again on Saturday 2 February 2019.

See https://www.swdc.govt.nz/ for more information.