Floods
Edgecumbe businesses given $700k support package
Cabinet today agreed to the package, which would help about 100 local businesses, but Whakatane mayor Tony Bonne told Sarah Robson: "You always want more". Audio
Hundreds of Edgecumbe residents face long delay returning home
An Edgecumbe local board member who's been helping people return to flooded homes say hundreds face a long wait before they'll be able to return. He says some homes will never be safe to go back to. Audio
Schools close in Bay of Plenty as Cyclone Cook nears
RNZ reporter Mihingarangi Forbes joined Edgecumbe residents as they returned to their flood-damaged homes. She says the "pong" on the street was overwhelming and tellingly, they were told to lift… Audio
Edgecumbe pets rescued after owners fled
As Edgecumbe residents evacuated last Thursday they grabbed what they could, pets included. But some were left behind while others have found a temporary home at the Whakatane SPCA. Video, Audio
Edgecumbe residents return home to devastation
Checkpoint reporter Zac Fleming talks to an Edgecumbe family of six that returned to their home for the first time since the Bay of Plenty town flooded. Video, Audio
State of emergency declared in Bay of Plenty
Edgecumbe locals say they should have been warned earlier about the potential of the stopbank bursting. Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared. Video, Audio
Mayor 'unaware' of stress on Edgecumbe stopbank
Whakatane mayor Tony Bonne says he was unaware of the stress on the stopbank in Edgecumbe, despite locals saying there was a major problem two hours before it burst. Video, Audio
Edgecumbe locals say town should have been evacuated earlier
Edgecumbe residents are angry at what they say was inaction on behalf of emergency services, who they say could have warned them earlier of the potential of the stopbank breaching. Video, Audio
Rautahi marae helps hundreds affected by Edgecumbe flooding
Rautahi marae in Kawerau has helped more than 400 people affected by the flooding in Edgecumbe. Some of the people who have chipped in to bring comfort to Edgecumbe locals talk to Zac Fleming. Video, Audio
Michael Cullen to head review of Edgecumbe floods
Former Finance Minister Sir Michael Cullen will head a review of the events that led to the flooding at Edgecumbe amid growing anger over the authorities' handling of the emergency. Audio
Edgecumbe residents still don't know when they can return home
Ursula Mayo has lived in Edgecumbe for 45 years, but the town she loves has changed drastically after a torrent of water pushed through a stopbank and flooded half the houses there. Video, Audio
Whakatane flood devastation
Whakatane Community Board member Graeme Bourk has many questions about the stop bank failure. Audio
Farmers rush to protect stock from flooding
Edgecumbe farmers raced into action today to help others whose properties had been been isolated or swamped in floodwaters. Zac Fleming reports. Video, Audio
Edgecumbe insurance claims expected to be significant
The total cost of the insurance claims in relation to the flooding in Edgecumbe is likely to be significant, Tim Grafton from the Insurance Council says. Video, Audio
Edgecumbe residents on edge as they wait for information
Edgecumbe resident Deeanna Tubb says people in the small town are unsure of what's happening, uncertain about their futures, exhausted, and completely on edge. Video, Audio
Edgecumbe residents talk about the horror of rushing to escape
Edgecumbe residents who had just moments to evacuate and farmers hit hard by the flooding and isolation talk to Checkpoint reporter Zac Fleming. Video, Audio
Edgecumbe floods: PM pledges support to town
Some people in the Bay of Plenty town of Edgecumbe will never be able to go back to their homes, the Prime Minister says.
Flooding could have been prevented - former mayor says
Former Whakatane Mayor Colin Holmes says the massive flood in Edgecumbe needn't have happened and he says the Regional Council is to blame. Audio
Some Edgecumbe locals may not return for days
Edgecumbe locals whose homes are flooded don't expect to be able to return to their homes for days. Zac Fleming joins Checkpoint live from the Bay of Plenty town. Video, Audio
Tutua family decides to stay in Edgecumbe, despite flooding
While hundreds of people evacuated from Edgecumbe today, the Tutua family decided to stay put. Video, Audio
