4:00pm Friday, 17 April 2026
Kia ora tatou our hāpori | community of Kawerau.
We acknowledge the thoughts and messages of aroha and support that have been shared for our two sons / mokopuna of our Kawerau Community.
We appreciate that many in our community are seeking ways to show support and love, while respectfully allowing the whānau pani | grieving whānau time and space to have their sons home and returned to them.
Be it through heartfelt social media messages, by gathering our tamariki / mokopuna closer to us, or simply taking a moment alone to reflect in prayer, we are united in our collective thoughts of grief and sadness.
In agreement with whānau | family of both of our sons, you are invited to show your aroha | love through the giving of putiputi | flowers and or sharing of kupu aroha | messages of love at a memorial area on the Boyce Park / Judo Club side of our Tarawera Awa if this is a way in which you would like to continue to show your love and support for our families. This memorial area is temporarily in place, then it will be given to whānau.
We appreciate your continued support in respect of the rāhui (restriction on access or use) that is in place over recreational activities on the Tarawera Awa | River until 23 April 2026, under the authority of tangata whenua iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
Rest in love.
Please respect the privacy of the whānau, loved ones and the community by not publishing photos of the names online until further notice
7:00am Friday, 17 April 2026
- Message from Kawerau Mayor Faylene Tunui
It is with the heaviest heart that I acknowledge the tragic passing of the two young people of our community.
Together we stand in love and solidarity with the families who are in mourning for their precious loved ones.
As a community I know that, where and when appropriate, we will unite to support the families.
In these hardest of days we see the best of our community.
I also acknowledge the first responders, including local Police and the local volunteer firefighters, who reacted with speed and care when the alarm was raised yesterday.
Under the authority of tangata whenua iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa, there is now a rāhui (restriction on access or use) in place over recreational activities on the Tarawera River until 23 April 2026.
Out of respect for the tragedy, please honour the restriction, and the privacy of the families.
Rest In Love.
Her Worship Mayor Faylene Tunui
*People wishing to pay their respects could do so from a distance, on the Western (or Town side) of the Tarawera River near the Judo Club. Access is not permitted on the Eastern (Manukorihi) side of the river.
1.30pm Thursday, 16 April 2026
An incident occured today in our community.
We understand the New Zealand Police, Fire Emergency New Zealand and St John are at the scene.
We ask that Kawerau allow these emergency services to do their mahi.
We as a community will be updated in due course.
- Kawerau District Council
Water Update Update: 10:32am Thursday 16 April 2026
The water pipe has now been fixed that was damaged yesterday. Full water supply and pressure has been restored to the business precinct. .
Thank you for your patience
Water Update – 8.50am Thursday 16 April 2026
Council wishes to apologise to all our valued businesses and industry for the impacts overnight with water pressure and supplies
We are currently renewing water lines on Tamarangi Drive and into the business precinct
On Wednesday afternoon, the contractor Draintech was drilling new pipeline (as has been done in over 40kms across the district to date)
Pressure of drilling caused one of AC pipes on Tamarangi Drive to fail, affecting water pressures to the business precinct
Council was made aware of issues and immediate assessments were undertaken by contractors and council staff
A back-up line was commissioned Wednesday afternoon
Feedback late yesterday showed there was sufficient pressure and flows
However, further low-pressure and water flow issues were experienced overnight
This morning further work has resulted in improved water flows and pressure
The fix of the pipe that failed is expected by noon today (Thursday 16/4/26)
Thank you for your ongoing support
Any queries or further information, please contact Council on 073069009
- Any repairs or damage that is non-urgent can be reported via Antenno or the Council Fix It page
- There are still power outages in and around Kawerau. Horizon Energy has crews around the region, but the number of outages is hampering their response times
- Roading issues remain across the BOP, Waikato and further afield please check Waka Kotahi Map: Road closures and traffic conditions
Check Met Service Weather - currently no weather watches or warnings in place
Consultation is now open for landowners and the community to have their say on the Draft Kawerau District Plan Change 5, which addresses the necessary updates to the Kawerau District Plan following the April 2024 boundary reorganisation that transferred land from the Whakatāne District to the Kawerau District. The scope of the District Plan Change 5 review is limited to
- Re-zoning land transferred in the boundary reorganisation
- A new Māori purpose zone and
- Recognising the significant nature areas that came into the Kawerau District from Whakatāne
Have your say by 5pm, Thursday 30 April 2026
If you would like to talk directly to our planner regarding the draft District Plan Change 5, please contact Council on 07 306 9009 or come to our drop-in session at 1pm, Wednesday 22 April in the Concert Chamber.
Ordinary Council Meeting: 9am, Wednesday 29 April
Regulatory and Services Committee Meeting: 9am, Wednesday 13 May
Ordinary Council Meeting: 9am, Wednesday 27 May
Risk and Assurance Committee Meeting: 1pm, Monday 8 June
Regulatory and Services Committee Meeting: 9am, Wednesday 10 June
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:
