22 January 2026

6.40am 

State of Emergency and Heavy Rain Warning (Red) remain in place until 8:00am this morning.

Kawerau is currently being assessed and we will update you soon. There has been impacts across the wider Bay of Plenty region, with reports Western Bay was hit hard. There was considerable flooding, slips and tree falls overnight, and care should be taken on the Matata Straights where the road was closed overnight. 

Please check the NZTA Journey Planner website before travelling any distance. Crews have been working through the night and some slips and trees debris has already been cleared, but there was widespread flooding in the Western Bay District that may still be an issue. 

NZTA Journey Planner  

Further update after 8am today. 

21 January 2026

12.55pm

Kia ora e te whanau – most of you will have received an emergency alert, which was sent to all areas of the Bay of Plenty.

• Advising Red Heavy Rain Watch for the region 
• Kawerau District Council and Civil Defence teams are working collaboratively in the background to understand what could be needed and proactively put in place 
• Council operations staff are checking the district
• Risk to Kawerau may be surface flooding from heavy downpours
• Risk of trees and branches falling – please keep watch 

Safest thing for Kawerau community – please stay off the roads

• Avoid any unnecessary travel
• Roads in nearby regions are prone to slips like the Matata Straights and the Rotoma and lakes areas
• The Waioeka Gorge (from Opotiki) remains closed from slips last week
• Risk to neighbouring districts of rising rivers and flooding

Kawerau Strength Is Manaakitanga/Caring for Others

• Please check in on your neighbours, whanau and friends by phone or message
• Be prepared it may be a wet and wild night
• Kawerau may need to be prepared to receive people and we will keep you posted 
• Be mindful of our animals and where they are tonight
• Our strength is in our manaaki for our own community and our neighbouring communities

For more information on the weather, please visit Met Service

Please drive safely and drive to the conditions if you are out on the roads today! Check the Waka Kotahi | NZTA Journey Planner to see what roads are open before heading out

Contact Emergency Services on 111 for Fire, Police or Ambulance