Heavy rain caused by an atmospheric river hit parts of the Bay of Plenty on November 18, 2025, with MetService reporting localized downpours of 25–40 mm (0.8 to 1.6 inches) per hour and an Orange heavy-rain warning in effect
A bright fireball was observed over New Zealand’s North Island at 09:31 UTC (22:31 NZDT) on November 17, 2025, captured by multiple Fireballs Aotearoa cameras, including the color camera at Tauranga Astronomical Society in Matua and station NZ0033 in Katikati.
Minor ash emissions were confirmed at Whakaari / White Island, New Zealand, following two short-lived eruptions on October 30, 2025. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 3 and the Aviation Color Code at Orange, indicating minor eruptive activity with uncertain future development. An observation flight on November 3 confirmed an ash plume rising 400–500 m (1 300–1 600 feet) above sea level, drifting southeast for 5–8 km (3–5 miles).
New Zealand is set for a week of active weather as multiple systems track across the country from October 20 to 23, 2025. MetService warns of strong northwesterlies and heavy rain early in the week, followed by another intense front on Thursday that may bring more severe impacts to already affected areas.
A very bright fireball was seen streaking over the skies of Dargaville, New Zealand, at 15:12 UTC on October 1, 2025.
A localized hailstorm covered a section of Ripiro Beach, Northland, New Zealand, at around 17:00 local time (LT) on August 23, 2025, leaving several hundred meters of beach blanketed in hail up to 5 cm (2 inches) deep.
Mount Ruapehu Crater Lake is warming again, with temperatures rising to 16°C (61°F) by August 19, 2025. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1, indicating minor volcanic unrest.
A reported tornado damaged multiple caravans and injured one man at Tauranga Bay Holiday Park, Northland, on July 15, 2025. One campervan was overturned with a man trapped inside, while another was completely destroyed, according to eyewitnesses.
MetService issued a Red Warning for Heavy Rain for parts of New Zealand’s Tasman District at 09:59 LT on July 11, 2025, warning of flooding, slips, and dangerous road conditions due to highly saturated ground and further rainfall expected through 23:00 LT tonight.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit near the southern coast of South Island, New Zealand at 12:53 UTC on July 7, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). GeoNet is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles).
