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Civil Defence stories

B.C. startup drone swarm tech wants to target wildfires faster
Robotics

B.C. startup drone swarm tech wants to target wildfires faster

From fire-ravaged British Columbia to NATO defence, FireSwarm is betting ultra-heavy drone swarms can transform fires and frontline rescues.

By Jake MacAndrew • 5 min read • Thu, 5th Mar 2026

Global Stories

Civil Defence stories

Oracle expands defence ecosystem with 10 new firms
Robotics

Oracle expands defence ecosystem with 10 new firms

Defence buyers could gain faster access to AI, robotics and secure communications as Oracle broadens its programme with 10 more start-ups.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Thu, 25th Jun 2026
SYOS SA200 drone ready for serial build after trials
Surveillance

SYOS SA200 drone ready for serial build after trials

SYOS's SA200 heavy-lift drone completes moving-platform autonomy trials, clearing the ship-ready uncrewed helicopter for serial production.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Fri, 13th Mar 2026
Belluno fire brigade deploys gas & radiation monitors
Internet of Things

Belluno fire brigade deploys gas & radiation monitors

Belluno fire brigade adopts connected gas and radiation monitors to bolster venue safety ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Sat, 21st Feb 2026
Kacific enhances disaster resilience with CommsBox Ultra launch
Civil Defence

Kacific enhances disaster resilience with CommsBox Ultra launch

Kacific Broadband Satellites Group bolsters disaster resilience with the launch of CommsBox Ultra, an upgraded device ensuring rapid, reliable communications in diverse disaster settings.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Tue, 16th Jan 2024

Stories from Other Regions

Civil Defence stories

Southland council accused of breaking flood work promises
Risk & Compliance

Southland council accused of breaking flood work promises

Residents could face weaker flood protection after a former chief financial officer accused Environment Southland of failing to deliver promised work.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Today
Tairāwhiti emergency waste funding: Gisborne District Council gets $115,590 grant
Disaster Recovery

Tairāwhiti emergency waste funding: Gisborne District Council gets $115,590 grant

Severe weather clean-up costs in Tairāwhiti have been eased, with Gisborne District Council securing the largest share of a new grant.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 2 min read • Today
Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'
Radio New Zealand

Ohakune residents still boiling drinking water as town enters 'recovery mode'

Boil notices remain in place while testing continues, though Ohakune's water supply has been restored and the emergency is easing.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 3 min read • Last week
Yellow rain watches issued for Northland, Auckland and Westland
Northland

Yellow rain watches issued for Northland, Auckland and Westland

Heavy falls may trigger warnings as a warm, moisture-laden front sweeps across the upper North Island and Westland.

By RNZ • 2 min read • Last week
Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry
Civil Defence

Ohakune residents demand answers after reservoir runs dry

Residents were warned too late as Ohakune's reservoir emptied, leaving businesses and households without water on a busy winter weekend.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • Last week
TUANZ calls for connectivity to be essential infrastructure
Hybrid & Remote Work

TUANZ calls for connectivity to be essential infrastructure

Gaps in access and affordability are leaving one in 10 New Zealand households offline, prompting calls for stronger public investment and resilience.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Last month
Catalyst urges New Zealand to back local tech in procurement
Data sovereignty

Catalyst urges New Zealand to back local tech in procurement

New procurement rules could keep critical emergency and health systems in local hands, as Catalyst warns reliance on offshore vendors raises costs and risks.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 3rd Jun 2026
Project STRIM warns of Golden Bay telecoms resilience gap
EFTPOS

Project STRIM warns of Golden Bay telecoms resilience gap

Remote residents in Golden Bay face repeated blackouts because the government says it cannot compel operators to add backup telecoms links.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Mon, 18th May 2026
HTX & NCS deepen tech tie-up for Singapore Home Team
Robotics

HTX & NCS deepen tech tie-up for Singapore Home Team

The deal expands joint work on robots, drones and AI tools for Singapore's security agencies, though financial terms were not disclosed.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Tue, 28th Apr 2026
Emergency management reforms could further burden councils
Northland

Emergency management reforms could further burden councils

Councils could face fresh funding pressure after Wellington backed wider emergency management reforms and minimum national standards.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Wed, 23rd Oct 2024
National disaster coordination system still on ice
Civil Defence

National disaster coordination system still on ice

Despite 20 years of attempts, New Zealand still lacks an effective disaster coordination system. Locals fear they remain unprepared for the next Cyclone Gabrielle.

By Phil Pennington • 5 min read • Tue, 30th Jul 2024
Councils mulling options after plug pulled on Three Waters Reform
Auckland Council

Councils mulling options after plug pulled on Three Waters Reform

Councils must decide whether to keep water services in-house or form regional CCOs, as new laws could reshape debt and rates bills.

By Staff Writer • 10 min read • Fri, 23rd Feb 2024