Two teenagers were waiting for a ride home after rugby practice at Bishop Viard College in Porirua when one of them spotted a suspicious-looking man. Oliver and Robert’s otherwise normal February evening soon took a dramatic turn…
Tag Archives: oceania
Northlanders spot large shark near Mangawhai Heads Beach
A large mako shark cruising around an estuary in Mangawhai on Tuesday has been captured on camera by a local “privileged” to have seen it in the wild. Andy Bruce, video creator and digital media producer at Elevated Media NZ, was…
Herald morning quiz: March 20
Test your brains with the Herald’s morning quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz at 3pm for the afternoon quiz. To challenge yourself with more quizzes, CLICK HERE.
More evacuation warnings as floodwaters rise on NSW Mid North Coast
Residents in towns along the NSW Mid North Coast have been told to evacuate as floodwaters rise, amid some of the state's worst flooding in almost a decade.
Those in low-lying parts of Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Lower Macleay, and North Haven and its surrounds were all ordered to evacuate on Friday night. The deadline for evacuation has now passed.
Shortly after midnight, orders remained current for low-lying parts of Bulahdelah, and Wauchope and Rawdon Island, where major flooding was expected to surpass the record inundation from February 2013.
READ MORE: New technology used in search for elderly woman feared missing as floodwaters rise
"Once floodwater passes 9.5 metres on the Wauchope gauge at Wauchope, roads will begin to close," the SES said, adding that the Hastings River could hit 11 metres by 6am.
The SES gave Kempsey evacuees until midnight to leave, the deadline for evacuations from Port Macquarie, the Lower Macleay and North Haven and surrounds having already passed.
The warning encompassed Kempsey CBD, Eden Street and areas east of the railway line north to Frederickton amid fears the levee protecting the area would soon overflow.
"There is a high risk that the levee may overtop," the SES said.
"Once flood water begins inundating the area road access water, sewerage, power, phones and internet may be lost.
"If you remain in the area you will be trapped and it may be too dangerous for SES to rescue you."
https://twitter.com/NSWSES/status/1372880057706766337
Commissioner Carlene York appealed to members of the community on the Mid North Coast to be ready for flash flooding with severe conditions expected to continue this weekend.
READ MORE: Kangaroo swept up in NSW floods
https://www.facebook.com/NSWSESMidNorthCoast/posts/4053025414815458
"We are calling on all communities from the Mid North Coast right down to the Illawarra, to be vigilant and monitor weather conditions closely," Commissioner York said.
"Flash flooding is a huge concern. The real danger is that it can't be predicted and will happen extremely quickly."
Residents in low-lying parts of Port Macquarie were told to evacuate by 8pm as water levels rise.
Those in low-lying parts of the North Haven, Dunbogan, Diamond Head and foreshore areas of Laurieton were also told to leave by 8pm, with those in low parts of the Lower Macleay ordered to leave by 8.30pm. All three deadlines have now passed.
IN PICTURES: 'Dangerous' weather puts parts of NSW underwater
Further north in Nambucca Heads roads, parks and homes have been flooded after intense rain dumped more than 200mm of water in less than 24 hours.
The towns of Bowraville and Macksville have been warned to expect moderate flooding as river levels continue to rise.
Emergency crews in Port Stevens have been sandbagging roads and homes to minimise flood damage with several roads closed due to landslides and fallen trees.
Newman senior college in Port Macquarie was closed today due to flooding with parents describing the roads as "really scary".
READ MORE: Millions in NSW told to stay at home this weekend
Kempsey has recorded almost 250mm of rain since yesterday while Nelson Bay has hit 200mm.
A rain gauge at Combyone Public School recorded 151m and Newcastle has also copped a drenching with more than 145mm of rain in the last 24 hours.
Multiple flood warnings are currently in place for areas around NSW with the weather expected to continue over the weekend.
https://twitter.com/laurenkempe/status/1372727620886958082
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott urged people to heed warnings from SES and avoid dangerous floodwaters.
"Our SES volunteers are gearing up for a busy weekend, so before you consider doing something stupid which puts you at risk, remember that our emergency services personnel are putting their lives at risk to keep you safe," Mr Elliott said.
"My plea to the community is that if you come across floodwater while driving, never drive, walk, or ride through it – if the road is flooded, forget it."
More than a dozen injured after car, minibus crash in Queensland
Two people are fighting for their lives after a car collided with a minibus in Queensland's Lockyer Valley.
Fifteen people were injured in the crash, with emergency crews on the scene.
Investigators are still looking into the causes of the crash, but 9News understands it's thought the minibus, carrying 14 fruit pickers from a nearby tomato farm, went through an intersection and was t-boned by a sedan.
READ MORE: Toxic smoke warning south of Brisbane after suspicious fire
The male driver of the sedan suffered critical injuries, as did one woman in the bus.
All the injured have been taken to hospital, with many having to be stabilised on site.
Mark Nugent from the Queensland Ambulance Service said some of the injured had sustained fractures, along with potential chest injuries.
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash: NZ needs 'high value' tourists post-Covid-19
By Tess Brunton of RNZ Tourism Minister Stuart Nash is considering raising the levy overseas tourists pay to enter the country, and says he wants tourists to be spending about $300 a day.Earlier today, Nash outlined his vision…
West Coast WikiCon: Volunteers to gather for Wikipedia conference
Ever wondered who’s working behind the scenes to keep New Zealand information on Wikipedia accurate and up to date?You’ll find 20 of them in Hokitika this weekend for New Zealand’s first ever Wikipedia conference.West Coast WikiCon…
Driver responsible for Oatlands crash apologises to grieving families
The driver responsible for the deaths of four children in Sydney's northwest last year has apologised to the families involved.
Samuel Davidson was drunk behind the wheel of his car when he ploughed into the group of seven children as they walked to buy ice cream in Oatlands.
Siblings Antony, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah and their cousin Veronique Sakr were killed, leaving a family and community in shock.
The family exchanged hugs and tears of anguish at Parramatta District Court today as the mothers, fathers, and siblings came forward one-by-one to stare down the driver as he wept in the dock.
"You may have lost your freedom, but I've lost my flesh and blood," Bridget Sakr, mother of Veronique Sakr said.
Leila Abdallah lost three of her six children, telling Davidson "You've killed us all. I'm no longer living. Just existing."
In his statement to the family Davidson wrote, "I'm so sorry, I hate what I've put you through."
A report following the incident found he was travelling up to 133km/h in a 50km/h zone and was moving about 111km/h at the time of impact.
He has since been convicted on four counts of manslaughter with his punishment yet to be decided by the court.
The Abdallah, Sakr and Kassas families released an official statement today saying, "There are no words that describe the pain we endure".
"We love our children dearly and we will always grieve the loss of our beautiful kids … Every day for us is a day closer to being reunited with our children," the statement said.
"For the rest of our lives, our hearts will be broken but despite this devastation we are here united to love and support our living children and all the other members of our families. "
"Today we trust in the Australian judicial system, that the right justice will be served and God's will, will be done."
"We would like to extend our deep gratitude to the Australian community for their love, support and prayers."
Covid 19 coronavirus: Support for Covid vaccination grows – poll
More than half of New Zealanders now say they will “definitely” get vaccinated against Covid-19 when they get the chance.A One News Colmar Brunton poll shows that the proportion who will “definitely” get vaccinated has risen from…
America's Cup: Stuart Nash says it would be 'hugely disappointing' if next Cup competition goes offshore
America’s Cup Minister Stuart Nash says it would be “hugely disappointing” if the next Cup competition moves offshore.Nash has made a careful statement to the Herald which also notes that the choice of where to stage the next Cup…