Disaster
9 events between 1855–1988, shown on the map in this colour.
The Wairarapa earthquake
At an estimated magnitude 8.2, the largest earthquake in recorded New Zealand history lifted parts of Wellington by more than a metre.
WairarapaMount Tarawera erupts
The mountain split along 17 kilometres, buried the villages of Te Wairoa, Te Ariki and Moura, and destroyed the Pink and White Terraces.
Mount TaraweraThe influenza pandemic
About 9,000 people died in two months — roughly half as many as died in four years of war. Māori died at more than seven times the Pākehā rate.
The Hawke’s Bay earthquake
A magnitude 7.8 quake levelled Napier and Hastings and killed 256 people — still New Zealand’s deadliest natural disaster.
NapierThe Ballantynes fire
Forty-one staff died in a department store fire in central Christchurch, most of them trapped on the upper floors.
ChristchurchThe Tangiwai railway disaster
A lahar from Mount Ruapehu swept away the rail bridge over the Whangaehu River minutes before the Wellington–Auckland express reached it, killing 151 people.
TangiwaiThe Wahine disaster
The inter-island ferry struck Barrett Reef in a storm with winds over 150 km/h and capsized in the harbour entrance. Fifty-three people died.
Wellington HarbourThe Erebus disaster
An Air New Zealand sightseeing flight to Antarctica flew into Mount Erebus in whiteout conditions. All 257 people aboard died.
Departed Auckland AirportCyclone Bola
Over 900 millimetres of rain fell on the East Coast in three days, stripping hillsides and cutting the region off. Three people died.
Gisborne