Historical Disasters By Region
Earthquakes
•1963 - although Northland is not considered a high-risk area for earthquakes, some damage does occur in two earthquakes of magnitudes 4.8 and 4.9 near Mangonui and Peria.
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Tsunami
•1960 - a series of one metre high waves sweeps into Port Whangarei as the result of the Chilean earthquake.
Volcanoes
•Northland has two fields of young volcanoes. Te Puke was active 1300-1800 years ago.
Storms
•1936 - a cyclone destroys buildings, causes floods, and sinks boats.
•1968 - Cyclone Giselle causes much storm damage throughout the country.
•1988 - Dargaville loses its water supply line when a bridge is swept away during Cyclone Bola.
•2007 - torrential rain and gale force winds cause widespread flooding, slips, wind damage, and road closures.
Floods
•1981 - flooding in Kerikeri, including the famous Old Stone Store.
•1981 - flooding in Kerikeri, including the famous Old Stone Store.
•1999 - flooding in the Hokianga area damages many homes.
•2003 - twenty homes are evacuated in Kaitaia after the river breaks its banks.
•2007 - torrential rain and gale force winds cause widespread flooding.
Non-natural Disasters
•1918/19 - Spanish flu, our worst disaster, kills over 8,000 New Zealanders.
•1957/58 - Asian flu comes in two waves, and affects about 70-80% of the population, though few people die.
•1968/69 - the Hong Kong flu reaches New Zealand. As it occurs mainly during the Christmas holidays, it does not spread as fast amongst schoolchildren and their families.
•2009 - human cases of non-seasonal influenza A (H1N1) 'swine flu' resulting from human to human transmission are identified in Mexico in April, with subsequent spread to many other countries, including New Zealand. All of New Zealand’s cases have recently returned from travel in affected areas or are close contacts of cases. New Zealand continues its efforts to contain the influenza A (H1N1) swine flu virus and prevent community transmission. By late May case numbers in New Zealand remain stable, but the number of overseas cases being notified to the World Health Organisation continues to increase.