20/01/2026
UPDATE 11:30am
💦 We’ve had a serious soak across the district. Some areas, like Manawahe, got around 250mm of rain in 24 hours, while elsewhere across the district only got about half of that. You can check out the full rainfall data here 👇🏽 https://envdata.boprc.govt.nz/.../LATEST24H/Interval/Latest
Our district is huge, and weather doesn’t stick to just your driveway. This is why, while your street might be relatively fine, your neighbour up the road could be dealing with slips, surface flooding, or blocked access.
🫶🏽 Warnings are serious - and we really appreciate everyone who heeded safety messages, stayed off the roads, and provided us with valuable local information.
This is our last update on this post as we return to BAU. Continue to stay safe, watch out for each other, and don’t underestimate localised impacts 🌧️
A whopping mihi / thanks to our crews, local contractors and Emergency Operation Centre staff who worked around the clock to keep us all safe. Absolute legends 👏🏽
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UPDATE 11:17am
🗞️ Media release - 'Council shifts focus to supporting neighbours following severe weather'
Whakatāne District Council’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has now stood down following around 24 hours of persistent, heavy rain across the district.
Council teams monitored conditions and responded to weather-related impacts overnight and into this morning, particularly in areas that experienced concentrated rainfall, including Matatā, Manawahe, and Awakaponga. Clean-up efforts and work to restore access are now underway in these areas following multiple slips.
Local Controller Mike Avery says that although the rain has eased, risks remain.
“While the sun is now shining, the ground is saturated. This means slips are still possible, especially near steep slopes, escarpments and cliffs, and temporary road closures may occur. We’re asking road users to take care, slow down, and follow any signage or directions from crews on the ground.”
Read more here 👇🏽
🔗 whakatane.govt.nz/about-council/news/council-shifts-focus-supporting-neighbours-following-severe-weather
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UPDATE 8:24am
🗞️ Media release - 'Council responds to impacts of prolonged wet weather'
Whakatāne District Council teams kept abreast of weather-related impacts overnight and continue to respond this morning following around 24 hours of persistent wet weather across the district.
Read more here 👇🏽
🔗 whakatane.govt.nz/about-council/news/council-responds-impacts-prolonged-wet-weather
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UPDATE 7:42am
⛔️🌳❗There are at least 7-8 slips on Manawahe Road which we have multiple crews working hard to access and sort.
Please be patient as we work to clear these as promptly and safely as possible. We'll continue to keep you posted
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UPDATE 7:00am
🚧🌳 Herepuru Road blocked - SLIP
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UPDATE 6:54am
🙌🏽 Praise be. MetService New Zealand has lifted the severe weather warning for the Bay of Plenty.
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UPDATE 6:37am
⚠️🌳💧 Peace Street - flooded at sponge reserve / ford + tree down. Passable with caution. The sponge reserve is working as intended. This section of the road is designed as an overland flow path, guiding water safely across the road into the drainage reserve and away from houses.
✅ Reid, Rewatu, Fosters and Tāneatua roads clear and open
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UPDATE 6:15am
✅ SH2 Matatā Straights OPEN - Tree has been cleared
⛔️ SH2 south of Matatā remains closed between Pollen Street and Caverhill Road, including Manawahe Road - due to slips, debris, and floodwater. This includes Wilson Creek/Bridge 7.
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UPDATE 5am
ℹ️ Rain continues to fall across the district. We've seen a high concentration of rainfall in the west with Matatā, Manawahe and Awakaponga having slips, debris and flooding.
Ground conditions are saturated and still very unstable. As daylight begins to emerge, our teams will be able to get a better picture of what the weather has brought overnight.
🌧️Remember - slips and flooding can still occur even if the rain eases or stops. Take extreme caution and avoid any unnecessary travel.
🚧 Roading assessments are in progress. Here is the current status from what our crew have confirmed ⬇️
⛔️ SH2 Matatā Straights closed - Tree blocking highway west of Matatā, close to Pikowai campground. FENZ have assessed. It is unsafe to carry out removal at this time. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will update their road status map when possible.
⛔️ SH2 Closed between Pollen Street and Caverhill Road, including Manawahe Road - due to slips, debris, and floodwater. This includes Wilson Creek/Bridge 7.
⚠️ Braemar Road - slip near intersection of Withy Road. Down to one lane. Pass with extreme caution.
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UPDATE 1:10am - Thursday, 22 January 2026
⛔ SH2 - Matatā Straights - Highway closed due to large tree blocking highway in the Pikowai Campground area. Potential for further slips in this area.
⚠️The calendar has rolled over into a new day. We're keeping this post going through the night so we can keep the earlier information in the same place for now. If this is the first time you're reading this post - be sure to scroll through our earlier messaging so you're fully informed. We're continuing to monitor things closely and bringing you updates as necessary.
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UPDATE 9:10pm
ℹ️ From Horizon Network - There is a power outage in the Ōhope area.
⚡This is currently under investigation by Horizon crews. Please visit the Horizon Outages Map webpage for up-to-date information.
🔗https://outages.horizonnetworks.nz/outages
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UPDATE 6:14pm
ℹ️ From Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council - A pre-emptive warning, as a result of heavy rain, Manawa Energy will be spilling a controlled amount of water from Matahina Dam overnight.
🐮 BOPRC advises that stock on low-lying land immediately beside the Rangitāiki River and particularly in areas upstream from Te Teko be moved to higher ground, due to a risk of flooding.
This warning DOES NOT apply to areas protected by stopbanks and the Regional Council stresses there is no risk of flooding in Edgecumbe or the Rangitāiki Plains area.
Read more here 👉🏽 facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1312634840897122&set=a.310001524493797
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UPDATE 4:44pm
💧🌳 With the whenua / ground saturated, there's a real risk of landslides or slips on steep slopes + cliffs.
If you live or work near cliffs, steep slopes, and escarpments and feel unsafe, take extra precaution and consider self-evacuating to a location without landslide risk.
While not wanting to trigger undue anxiety, it’s important to be aware of the potential risk at any time, and know what to do if you see any sign of movement.
If you do not choose to self-evacuate, please follow these safety steps:
🪨 Be alert for warning signs of instability, including:
🪨 Cracks in the ground
🪨 Ground slumping or movement
🪨 Trees or vegetation shifting unexpectedly
🪨Boulders dislodged or suspended in vegetation
🪨 If your home is at the base of an escarpment, avoid using ground-floor rooms at the rear of the property until at least 24 hours after heavy rain has ended.
🪨 Sleep in a room located on the opposite side from the escarpment.
🪨 If you’re at the top of an escarpment, check for ground cracks or signs of tree instability near the edge and contact Council if you notice anything concerning.
🪨 If you feel unsafe or notice signs of instability, self-evacuate to a location without landslide risk.
If you see or hear signs of soil movement or unstable trees, move away from the area immediately and call Whakatāne District Council on 07 306 0500 (24/7) with the location so we can investigate.
More information for those close who live or work close to risky locations can be found at 👉🏽 www.whakatane.govt.nz/services/civil-defence-emergency-management/landslides-and-escarpments
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UPDATE 4:04pm
⚠️ Bay of Plenty-wide State of Local Emergency declared ⚠️
🔊 Earlier this afternoon, Bay of Plenty Civil Defence declared a Bay of Plenty-wide State of Local Emergency.
🤷🏽♀️ What does this mean?
There is no need to panic. This is a precautionary step that allows Civil Defence and emergency services to act quickly if needed to help keep people safe.
🩹🚧 This can include closing roads or public places, carrying out urgent works, securing unsafe structures, and providing food, shelter or first aid.
What this means for you ⬇️
You can still go about your daily business under a State of Local Emergency, but make sure you listen to and follow any instructions from civil defence and emergency services.
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UPDATE 1:51pm
As at 1pm today, our Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been activated.
🤷🏽♀️ What does this mean?
A full team of staff trained in emergency management are working around the clock, alongside Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, emergency services, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Waikato & Bay of Plenty and neighbouring councils to:
🔍 Monitor rivers, roads, and flood risks
👷🏽♀️ Assess and respond to impacts in real time
🚒 Coordinate emergency response (if needed) as the weather develops
Activating the EOC reflects the seriousness of this weather event and the level of risk it poses to our communities.
You can find out more here ⬇️
🔗 whakatane.govt.nz/about-council/news/whakatane-district-council-activates-emergency-operations-centre-due-severe
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UPDATE 12:40pm:
📣 At 11:45am a National Civil Defence emergency alert was been issued to all compatible phones.
Here is the information that has been sent by Civil Defence ⬇️
RED SEVERE RAIN WARNING
MetService has issued a RED SEVERE RAIN WARNING for Bay of Plenty from 9:00am Wednesday to 9:00am Thursday.
Put safety first. Don’t take any chances. Act quickly if you see rising water. Do not try to walk, play, swim or drive in floodwater.
Avoid all non-essential travel. Bring pets indoors and move livestock to high ground where possible.
Be prepared to evacuate. Keep a grab bag close. If you are in immediate danger call 111.
Contact your local council for more information.
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🚨🌧️ MetService New Zealand has upgraded the Heavy Rain Warning for our district, and the wider Bay of Plenty to 🔴 RED 🔴
Details 🔻
⏰ This warning is in place from 9am today, Wed 21 Jan → 9am Thu 22 Jan (24 hours)
💦 On top of what has already fallen, we could see another 180 - 240mm of rain, with peak downpours of 25 to 40mm an hour, especially this evening + overnight.
1️⃣ These intense bursts could hit any part of the district (+ remember, our district is HUGE)
2️⃣ This amount of rain is substantial and should be taken seriously.
Have your wits about you 🔻
🌊 There's a real risk of flooding
🪨 Slips are likely, particularly near steep slopes, escarpments and cliffs
🚗 Roads may become impassable and some communities could be isolated - BE PREPARED, particularly if you live/work in a risky or known 'hot spot' for flooding.
⚡ Be prepared for possible power and communications outages
⚠️ Do not enter floodwaters
🔍 Our pals at Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council are constantly monitoring, the Whakatāne and Rangitaiki rivers along with all other rivers and waterways across the district. Emergency teams are active and ready to respond if needed 🤞🏼
What you should do now 🔻
🚫🚗 STAY OFF THE ROADS, unless absolutely necessary
🌊 Do not enter floodwaters, ever
🧳 If you are in a low-lying or high-risk area (near steep cliffs etc), either self-evacuate now if you feel unsafe, or be ready to self-evacuate quickly
📱 Keep phones charged and alerts switched on
🫂 Check in on neighbours, whānau, elderly and anyone needing extra support
📻 Put a grab bag together now - have a torch, batteries and essentials handy
⚠️ This is a serious weather event. Stay calm, stay alert, and act early if conditions around you change. We’ll continue sharing updates as the situation develops.
Kia haumaru te noho. Stay safe and look after each other ❤️
