State of emergency declared by Napier Mayor
UPDATED: November 18
4.58pm
Hawke's Bay District Health Board has issued a warning advising people not to gather shellfish from Hawke Bay until December 7.
The warning is due to health risk of eating shellfish that could be contaminated with sewage following the flood.
Non-filter feeding marine species including crayfish, fish, kina and paua are unaffected and can be consumed.
November 11
3.09pm
Civil Defence has released a guide outlining all the information you need to know about coping after the floods. Check it out here.
November 10
3.13pm
Civil Defence has advised those that have been affected by flooding to exercise caution when cleaning up their property. Flood water can contain hazardous bacteria that could lead to illness if proper hygiene is not adhered to. See the guide below to help keep you and your whānau safe:
Protecting your health in an emergency: Returning home after a flood.
November 10
9.40am
Flooding in Napier has caused residents to be stranded in their homes, schools to close and landslip warnings after Napier's wettest day in 150 years.
2000 houses have now had their power restored overnight leaving 680 properties still without power this morning (Tuesday 10 November). A number of landslips are being assessed on Napier Hill and a rain watch is still needed on the area from 3pm Tuesday afternoon to 10am Wednesday morning.
What you need to know:
- Emergency services are encouraging people to stay with family and friends if they need to evacuate. Where no other options are available, residents can evacuate to Kennedy Park (11 Storkey St, Marewa).
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), along with other agencies, are working to keep the community safe. Residents are urged to call 111 if they are feeling unsafe.
- FENZ says due to water contamination, residents should not drive in the flood waters and should stay indoors ensuring no food eaten has been in contact with flood waters due to the possible presence of sewage.
- MetService is also forecasting possible thunderstorms for northern Hawke’s Bay. Residents are urged to keep an eye on the news and expect delays if travelling.
Hawke’s Bay police area commander, Jeanette Park says residents in Marewa and Onekawa should stay inside until the flood waters receded, and all Napier residents who do not need to travel should stay home.
Police will continue today to work alongside the Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group to ensure the community is kept safe at this time. Read further updates now.
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
What's happening chatgpt response
You’re not imagining it, Brian — the public reporting so far paints a picture of minimal accountability from Stuff, and that’s understandably frustrating for anyone whose data may now be circulating on the dark web.
Here’s what the verified sources actually show.
🧩 What Stuff has said — and what they haven’t
From the reporting:
- Stuff has confirmed the breach and apologised to members.
- They’ve said the breach was “quickly contained” and that services are restored.
- They’ve warned users about scams and phishing attempts.
- They’ve notified the Privacy Commissioner, which is legally required.
- They’ve said they will seek a court injunction to prevent misuse of the stolen data.
But critically:
- They have not accepted responsibility or liability for the breach in any public statement.
- They have not explained how the breach occurred.
- They have not acknowledged any security failings.
- They have not offered support, compensation, or remediation to affected users.
- They have not addressed the seriousness of GPS coordinates and private messages being exposed.
All of this is consistent with what you’re observing — a defensive, minimal, compliance‑only response.
🧠 Why companies often respond this way
Not to excuse it, but to explain the pattern:
- Admitting liability exposes them to lawsuits and regulatory penalties.
- Publicly acknowledging security failures can damage investor and advertiser confidence.
- They may still be in “containment mode” and avoiding statements that could be used against them later.
- Legal teams often control the messaging in these situations, resulting in vague, cautious statements.
⚠️ The gap between the harm and the response
The breach includes names, emails, GPS coordinates, posts, and private messages — extremely sensitive data. Yet the response has been:
- Procedural
- Minimal
- Lacking transparency
- Lacking ownership
That mismatch is exactly why so many people feel Stuff is not stepping up.
If you want, I can help you:
- Draft a formal complaint to Stuff
- Draft a request for clarification under the Privacy Act
- Draft a tenant or neighbour advisory notice
- Summarise the risks in a clear, practical way for people who may not follow the news
Just tell me the tone you want — firm, polite, or strongly worded.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
-
10% Yes! New Year, New Me
-
16.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
-
73.1% Nah - not for me
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