New Zealand
Daylight saving this weekend
Summer is nearing as clocks move forward an hour over the weekend for daylight saving.
Latest from NZ Fire Service
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
Firebugs target Auckland
Firebugs struck in Auckland last night, damaging a South Auckland school, four cars and a garage.
51 floors in 10 minutes
Bursting out the stairwell door, firefighter Brent Austin proves his fitness as he races to the 51st floor of Auckland's Sky Tower in just over 10 minutes.
Suspicious fires investigated
Authorities are investigating a raft of suspicious fires in the South Island overnight.
Fire fighters clearing chemical spill
Fire fighters are currently working to clean up a chemical spill in Christchurch.
No explosion at geothermal station
The operator of a Northland geothermal plant has denied Fire Service reports 30,000 litres of gas is leaking after an explosion at the site.
Gas leak shuts part of State Highway One
A section of the country's main highway has been shut down due to a gas leak in Hamilton.
Fire crews called in to help Victoria
When Australia burns, Northland firefighters are often called across the ditch to help douse the fires.
Firefighters concerned about extra work
Dwindling volunteer numbers and a rising number of non-emergency medical callouts were some of the key concerns raised at an annual firefighter's conference this weekend.
Girl helps save family from Chch inferno
A "brave'' 12-year-old girl who woke to flames in her Christchurch home this morning managed to wake the rest of her family and escape the inferno.
Suspicious fire in Albany
A fire at a childcare centre on Auckland's North Shore early this morning is being treated as suspicious.
20 die in 'avoidable' fires
Twenty people were killed in avoidable house fires in the past 12 months and in most cases, there was no working smoke alarm, the Fire Service says.
Firefighter bullying claims backed up
A former deputy chief fire officer with 28 years experience has backed up claims of a "culture of bullying'' at Feilding Volunteer Fire Brigade made by a young female volunteer.
Firefighter: Bullying forced me to resign
A young volunteer firefighter and calendar pin-up girl says a "culture of bullying" left her no choice but to resign from the service.
Non-permitted fire threatened properties
A Welcome Bay resident who lit a non-permitted fire on his property which quickly got out of control at the weekend could be prosecuted or have to pay the bill for putting the fire out.
Arson and accidents stretch fire services
Fires raged up and down the country yesterday stretching emergency services to "maximum capacity".