The wild weather's rapidly evolving - with more downpours on the way
The wild weather's rapidly evolving - with more downpours on the way
21 January 2026
Tairawhiti's declared a State of Emergency - and households near Hikuwai River are asked to evacuate now.
The Whangarei, Hauraki, Thames-Coromandel and Bay of Plenty districts are also under local States of Emergency.
Red Warnings in these regions are in force for the next five to 17 hours - with a more intense deluge in the coming hours expected to bring further flooding and slips
Whangarei mayor Ken Couper says his district's stormwater systems are at capacity.
Meanwhile, several East Coast communities have been cut off.
Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams says conditions are changing quickly so people should prepare for the worst.
He says some people in Whiritoa have been evacuated - and the Surf Club has been set up as a civil defence site.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council says Manawa Energy will spill a controlled amount of water from Matahina Dam tonight - so people should move stock near the Rangitaiki River and areas upstream from Te Teko to higher ground.
© 2026 Newstalk ZB, NZCity
