Weather Situation Update - 24 January 2026
What is happening?
- The heavy rain over the past few days will continue to cause impacts for some days to come, including landslides, fallen trees and road closures.
- States of Local Emergency remain in place for Whangārei district, Thames-Coromandel district, Hauraki district, Bay of Plenty, and Tairāwhiti.
- The number of homes without power continues to decline as contractors work hard to reconnect properties. What’s the latest on the Bay of Plenty searches?
- Police confirmed two fatalities from the landslip at Welcome Bay Road in Tauranga.
- The search and rescue operation at the landslide at Mount Maunganui Hot Pools and Camping Ground is ongoing.
- Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones and those with family members unaccounted for. What hazards should people watch for?
- Landslides can be extremely dangerous. Stay alert and look for warning signs: small slips, rock falls, sinking land or unusual noises. If you see any of these, act quickly, get away from the slope and call 111.
- Other impacts like flooding, downed trees and travel disruptions will continue for some time.
What should people do?
- We need everyone to stay alert, use your “danger sense” and don't take risks. Do not drive through floodwater and don’t let your tamariki play in it.
- If you are planning to travel this weekend, please take extra care and check conditions before you go.
- Check roads, accommodation and essential services are available at your destination. Please be patient and remain alert for new slips, debris and road crews.
If you are cleaning up after severe weather, please do so safely.
- Check before you dig and follow the advice of local authorities.
This is a tough time for the communities that have been affected, particularly those still cleaning up after heavy rain earlier this week. Thanks to everyone who has been working hard to co-ordinate this response, keeping people safe and restoring roads and power to their communities. Thanks also to the local Marae and those who are opening their doors to help others.
- It’s normal to feel stressed or anxious right now. This event may bring up memories and emotions from previous events, even if you have not been directly impacted this time. Take the time to check on neighbours–they may need your help, or they may just want someone to talk to.
What support is there?
- The Government stands ready to provide support if needed.
- Councils, civil defence, emergency services, hydrology teams and other agencies are responding. NEMA is monitoring the situation and has deployed staff to assist.
- It’s too early at this stage to know what assistance may be sought. But this Government stands ready to provide whatever additional support is needed by impacted communities.
In an emergency, call 111
Council Services Available on Monday 26 January - Auckland Anniversary Weekend
Kawerau isite open 9am - 1pm
Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre open 8am - 6pm (Please exit the pools by 5:30pm)
Transfer Station open 12 noon to 4pm
The District Office, AA Services and the Kawerau District Library will be closed.
Recycling, Refuse and Greenwaste Collection will not be affected by Auckland Anniversary Weekend.
Tarawera Forest Closed
Following this week’s severe weather, and strong winds on the horizon, risks of landslides and fallen trees, are greater. Due to this, Māori Investment Limited (MIL) has decided to close the Tarawera Forest tomorrow (Saturday, 24 January).
MIL will review the weather again, tomorrow and decide whether the forest will open again on Sunday 25 January.
Due to this no permits to Tarawera Falls will be issued on Saturday 24 January.
We apologise for any inconveniences this may cause.
If you have any questions, or require further updates please contact the isite on 07 323 6300
Transfer Station Closed - Thursday 22 January
UPDATE: Friday, 23 January
The weighbridge has been fixed and the Transfer Station, is open with usual hours.
Thank you for your patience, as we worked to fix the weighbridge.
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Unfortunately, the weighbridge at the Kawerau Transfer Station is currently not working. Repairs are expected to take place tomorrow morning. In the meantime, the Transfer Station will remain temporarily closed. We expect to reopen with usual operating hours tomorrow, Friday 23 January and will update this post, once it does. Thank you for your patience, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Private Hire of Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre
The Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre will be closed publicly due to a private hire, Wednesday 28 January, until 10am.
We appreciate the support of our regulars with this temporary change of opening hours.
Restricted Fire Season effective 5pm 13 January 2026. Permits and more information is available via Fire and Emergency New Zealand Check Its Alright
Council Meetings 2026
Risk and Assurance Committee Meeting: 1pm, Monday 9 February
Regulatory and Services Committee Meeting: 9am, Wednesday 11 February
Thriving Community Committee Meeting: Wednesday 18 February, tbc
Ordinary Council Meeting: 9am, Wednesday 25 February
Regulatory and Services Committee Meeting: 9am, Wednesday 11 March
Please note: The Public Forum is available before every formal meeting held by Council (Council Meeting, Regulatory and Services, Extraordinary meetings) for people who wish to raise issues directly with the team of Elected Members. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting start time to ensure you are signed in, you and the issue you are raising is logged on the run sheet and you are seated in the Council Chambers. Usual meeting protocols apply.
Meetings are recorded and uploaded to the website and Social Media. By attending you give your consent to filming. People are asked to adhere to the Council Code of Conduct.
How can Council help?
Let us know about an issue or repair needed of a community walkway, footpath, road/s, tree/s, water, or concern about dog/s and/or noise:
