A flurry of strong earthquakes rocked the North Island this morning, causing damage in Hawke’s Bay. Civil Defence has confirmed there is no tsunami threat.
Children around Napier have returned to school today for the first time since Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over a week ago.
Far from a return to normality, it at least provided children - and their caregivers - a return to some routine.
Our reporters Timothy Brown and Jordan Dunn went along to Marewa School.
A closed school is a headache for parents, children and teachers, yet planning appears to be scarce for up to 94 schools that could be affected by flooding as the tides rise. New Niwa models show Canterbury, Bay of Plenty and Waikato schools are the most likely to be hit by coastal flooding caused by up to 1 metre of sea level rise. Schools that could be in the flood risk zone after less than 50 centimetres of sea level rise include Napier Boys High, Kaiapoi High School and Opotiki College (see below for a full list). The rising tides could create flooding around school buildings and roads, affecting children s ability to get to and from classrooms. Seawater in pipes could cause toilets and sinks to back up, according to Niwa research. Despite this, the Ministry of Education had minimal adaptation plans in place.