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
23 January 2026
Stay updated on the weather this long weekend. Consider how the recent heavy rain may affect our community. Strong winds are forecast, which increases the risk of landslides and falling trees. If you’re out and about (especially near hillsides or around large trees), please take extra care to keep yourself and others safe.
The weather for the next 72 hours is as follows:
Friday 23rd January
25-35km/hr Winds from 10am with Gusts up to 55km/hr.
Winds easing into the evening.
3-5mm of rain possible from 1300-1900hrs
Saturday 24th January - Strongest winds Saturday
40-50km/hr winds throughout the day Saturday. Gusts up to 70-80km/hr.
Winds easing in the evening.
2-4mm of rain possible from 1300-1900hrs
Sunday 25th January
30-40km/hr winds throughout the day with Gusts up to 65km/hr.
No rain forecast.
Stay safe, stay aware!
22 January 2026
The eastern bay and especially Kawerau is blessed with beautiful mountains, rivers, great sun and yes great rain also. The two provide sustenance and peace when We are in Harmony with Nature. Keep in harmony and respect with nature by Being Aware.
Sun is shining but caution advised with waterways and landslides
The worst of the weather appears to have passed for now in the Kawerau District. Fortunately, our community didn’t sustain flooding or damage, but the volume of rain still increases the risk of landslides and debris in our waterways.
Landslides are the number one hazard in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is important to be aware of the warning signs so you can act quickly if the unfortunate event occurs. Landslides can happen without warning and are often triggered by heavy rain. They may also occur days after the weather event due to water pooling at high points and eventually giving way.
Right now – our neighbouring district are dealing with a nightmare situation where people are unaccounted for and likely trapped
Landslides: Are You Aware?
- Landslides can happen without warning and are often triggered by heavy rain, so stay alert and look out for the warning signs.
When rain is heavy and intense this loads the escarpments and higher points of land with water that can hold for days releasing on a sunny day following heavy rain causing flash flooding and landslides.
- Act quickly if you see the warning signs:
- Small slips, rock falls, and sinking land, at the bottom of slopes.
- Sticking doors and window frames, which may mean the land is slowly moving under the building.
- Gaps where window frames are not fitting properly.
- Steps, decks, and verandas, moving or tilting away from the rest of the building.
- New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces.
- Tilting trees, retaining walls, or fences.
- Get out of the path of the landslide quickly.
- Evacuate if the building you are in is in danger.
Avoid swimming in rivers and waterways after heavy rain and storms for at least 2-3 days. Are You Aware?
- Due to likely stormwater runoff, and potential wastewater overflows upstream, people are advised to stay out of the Tarawera River
- The Tarawera River is likely to have debris, slash and logs lurking beneath the surface causing hazards for swimmers, divers and bombing
- The quality of all waterways including the Tarawera River is likely to be contaminated
- The banks in many places upstream of the Tarawera River swimming holes could be unstable, and if they slip, could send debris into the river without warning
Flood water advice: Avoid areas that have flooded for at least 2-3 days. Are You Aware?
- Due to wastewater overflows around the region, it’s important people stay out of the water.
- Do not try to walk, play, swim or drive in floodwater – even water just 15cm deep can often sweep you off your feet, and half a metre of water will carry away most vehicles. It is also likely to be contaminated with farm run-off, animal and human sewage and chemicals.
- Avoid entering water for at least 2-3 days, even at sites that usually have good water quality.
- Keep pets and other animals away from flood water. It may be contaminated with biological waste and chemicals.
- Do not collect or eat kaimoana such as shellfish, ungutted fish, puha and watercress from waterways after a flood. There is an increased risk of contamination from stormwater and sewage.
Are You Aware Kawerau swimming pools are world famous, no cost to enter, and a great alternative while we give our waterways time to settle.
Be Safe, Be Aware.
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.
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
Contact Emergency Services on 111 for Fire, Police or Ambulance