Masterton Community Patrol

03/08/2026

08/07/2026

⚠️ We’ve got an orange heavy rain warning in the already saturated Wairarapa, as well as the eastern hills of Wellington, while the strong wind watch across the rest of the region has a high chance of being upgraded to a warning.

🌙 As darkness descends, the rain and wind is predicted to intensify, which makes for a dangerous equation. There will be an increased chance of surface flooding, slips, and trees and powerlines down, while visibility will decrease.

☕️So our advice is to hunker down, put the kettle and a movie on, and keep an eye and an ear out in case there are any impacts around your place.

🚗 If you do have to venture out, please take extreme caution. Driving conditions may be hazardous, so slow down and take extra care out there so you can get home safe.

🎒 As we have seen in recent months, things can change very quickly. Now is the time to have a grab bag ready for everyone in your household. It should have warm clothes, a bottle of water, snacks, copies of important documents, and photo ID. Remember any medications you may need. Keep your first aid kit, torch, radio and batteries, mobility devices and any other essential supplies somewhere you can grab them in a hurry.

07/07/2026

Update 9am 9 July

The heavy rain warning has now been lifted.

Several local road closures are in place across Wairarapa, please continue to check with your local council for up to date information and drive to the conditions.

The strong wind warning has been downgraded to a strong wind watch, which remains in place for Wellington and Kapiti until 3pm today. Take care if you are out and about.

This will be the final update for this weather event.

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Update: 9pm, 8 July 26

⚠⛈️HEAVY RAIN WARNING - Wairarapa and eastern hills of Wellington ⚠️⛈️

MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Warning for Wairarapa, including the Tararua Range, also the eastern hills of Wellington from 8pm Wed, 8 July to 6am Thu, 9 July.

On top of what has already fallen, expect 50 to 90 mm about the Tararua Range, and 40 to 60 mm about the eastern hills of Wellington and Wairarapa. Peak rainfall rates 10 to 20 mm per hour.

We have already seen the rain causing impacts across the Wairarapa, with local roads closed and some surface flooding. Keep up to date via your local council, but also follow the below safety advice:

👉🏼 Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.

👉🏼 Take extra care on the roads. Never walk, swim or drive through flood water. Respect road closures notices and signs, do not try to pass through.

👉🏼 Clear stormwater drains to help prevent surface flooding if it is safe to do so.

⚠💨 STRONG WIND WARNING - ORANGE 💨⚠

There is also a strong wind warning in place for Wellington, Hutt Valley, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast from 8pm Wed, 8 July to 3pm Thu, 9 July.

South to southeast gales are forecast to become severe with gusts reaching 120 km/h in exposed places.

⚠️ Strong wind gusts like these could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Consider avoiding parks and reserves due to the danger presented by falling trees and branches.

⚠️🚗 Take extra care on the roads (especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles).

🏠♻️🗑 🪑 Secure any outdoor items like wheelie bins, trampolines and outdoor furniture that may blow around.

Keep an eye on the weather and visit https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home for the latest updates.

Take care, WREMO Duty Team

06/07/2026

Keep Safe ☺️

🌧️ Wet weather continues across Wairarapa 🌧️

It's still pretty wet and miserable out there today, and the MetService Rain Watch remains in place for Wairarapa through to Wednesday night.

While this is currently only a watch, the district remains highly saturated following last week's heavy rain. This means it may take less rainfall than usual to cause surface flooding, slips, or land movement.

📞 High call volumes

Our Call Centre is continuing to receive a high number of weather-related enquiries following last week's event and the current wet conditions.

👉 Reporting som**hing urgent? Call us on 06 370 6300.
👉 Reporting a non-urgent issue? Use the Antenno app to log a job.
🚨 In a life-threatening or emergency situation, call 111 immediately.

Be prepared for further rain

There are a few simple things you can do now to help protect your property and stay safe:

✅ Clear drains, gutters, and water channels around your property so water can flow freely.
✅ If you think you may need sandbags, get prepared early. The City Care team at the depot, 32A Bentley Street, can help residents fill their own sandbags.
✅ Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
✅ Obey all road closure signs and barriers. Don't attempt to drive around them.

Stay informed

🌦️ Check the latest forecasts and weather warnings from MetService New Zealand
🚗 For state highway conditions, follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Wellington
🛣️ For local road closures and Council updates, keep an eye on our website and social media channels.

Take extra care

✅ Allow extra travel time and drive to the conditions.
✅ If you have plans over the next few days, factor in the weather and be prepared to change them if conditions deteriorate.
✅ Watch for signs of slips or landslides, particularly in areas that have experienced heavy rainfall recently.
✅ If you live in a flood-prone area, review your emergency plan, know where you would go if asked to leave, and ensure your grab bag and essential supplies are ready.

Stay safe, stay informed, and take care out there.

09/04/2026

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst

15/02/2026

As we’re sure you’re aware, there is a lot going on with our weather this weekend – and it will be ramping up this evening/overnight. There will be periods of heavy rain, and strong wind, with most rain falling in the eastern hills of Wairarapa – details of the warnings can be found in our previous post or at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

With the combined rain, wind, and heavy sea swells on the east coast of the Wairarapa, there is an increased risk for residents there. Please check your local councils pages for latest advice.

🌧️Flooding 🌧️
The risk will be heightened across the region, but there is particular concern for the eastern side of the Wairarapa. If you live in low lying areas, or are prone to flooding, take extra precautions and be prepared to act quickly if you see signs of potential flooding.
⚠️Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
⚠️Take extra care on the roads.
⚠️Clear stormwater drains now if you can, to help prevent surface flooding
⚠️Have a grab bag packed and ready to go in case you need to evacuate at short notice.

⚡Power cuts⚡
With the heavy rain and strong winds, there is an increased chance of power outages as trees and powerlines can come down. Prepare now by:
👉Checking torches and spare batteries, charging phones and power banks
👉Having food ready that doesn’t require cooking
👉Make sure you have phone credit/data, and have warm clothes and blankets handy

If you rely on electricity for medical support, follow your emergency response plan and contact your health practitioner if an outage puts you at risk of harm.

🌊Sea Swells🌊
With the Sea Swell warnings in place, we recommend people stay away from the coast. More information can be found in our previous post.
We will post any updates from MetService New Zealand as they come through. We also recommend you follow your council pages for localised advice.
Take care, WREMO Duty Team
South Wairarapa District CouncilCarterton District CouncilMasterton District Council

23/01/2026

A timely reminder

Do you know how to give way in an emergency? 🚨

We’re here to remind you about what to do when you see, or hear, an emergency services vehicle responding under lights and sirens.

When seconds count, it can save lives.

We’ve had recent examples where drivers completely ignore the Police vehicle behind them. Other drivers slow right down without safely pulling over, and delay Police from responding to emergency situations.

Please help us by allowing our team to get to those in need, so we can save lives.

Top tips when an emergency services vehicle approaches with lights and sirens:

🚑 You are required by law to pull to the side of the road and stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
🚔 If the lights and siren of the Police vehicle continue past you, you can resume your journey.
🚒 Make sure you check the road is clear before moving on.

14/12/2025

From tomorrow, Monday 15 December 2025, Police will be able to screen drivers for the presence of impairing drugs in the Wellington Police District – the first-time testing of this kind will be conducted on New Zealand roads.

Police will begin roadside screening for four key drugs - THC (cannabis), m**hamphetamine (m**h), M**A (ecstasy) and co***ne - using the new device that screens for the presence of impairing drugs.

Similar to testing for alcohol levels, there are thresholds for each drug that are set to indicate the recent use of one or more drugs rather than historical use, passive exposure, or accidental ingestion which would be unlikely to cause impairment.

Alongside roadside drug testing, Police will continue to use the behavioural test called a Compulsory Impairment Test (CIT) where Police can assess a driver if they have good cause to suspect the driver is impaired by drugs.

Drivers who are prescribed medication are advised to continue with their medication as directed by their health practitioner and consider any impairing effects it might cause. Ultimately responsibility remains with drivers to consult their practitioner for medical advice. If they are experiencing any impairing effects, they should not drive.

Drivers cannot use a prescription or medical note at the roadside to stop them from undergoing a test or to dispute a positive saliva screening test result.

If an infringement is issued after laboratory testing, drivers will have the ability to apply for medical defence if it is for a drug that has been prescribed to them. Information on how to apply for medical defence can be found on Police’s website from Monday 15 December.

Those who refuse or fail to comply with a roadside drug screening test will be issued with an infringement notice that includes a $400 fine, 75 licence demerit points, as well as being forbidden to drive for 12 hours.

Superintendent Greally, Director of Road Policing, says having the ability to screen drivers for the recent use of drugs allows Police to detect and deter drivers from this dangerous behaviour that endangers not only themselves but other lives.

“The message is clear to drivers who blatantly drive impaired by drugs – don’t take drugs and drive.

“We’ve seen too often the devastating impact of fatal crashes due to drug driving and the flow on effects it has caused families and communities. If you intend to get behind the wheel after consuming impairing drugs, you will be caught.”

Read more - www.police.govt.nz/news/release/drug-testing-starts-wellington-monday-heres-what-you-need-know