Whangaparaoa Community Patrol

11/04/2026

Our Patrollers will be out checking on all beaches, marinas, campgrounds, roads etc today to send back information to the Community Resilience Whangaparaoa Community Resilience Group based at St Stephens. They will be there 12-3pm. Any updates and information you have of landslips, flooding, etc, please go to St Stephens or comment on this thread - the team will be monitoring this page constantly. Remember, all our Patrollers and the CRG group are all local volunteers -giving their time for the Community. If you see us out on the road - give us a wave!

CYCLONE VAIANU – SUNDAY MORNING 6AM UPDATE

Current position:
• The centre of Cyclone Vaianu is around 160km northeast of Great Barrier Island
• Moving southeastwards

Overnight conditions:
• Strongest gust: 131 km/h at Mokohinau and Channel Island
• 24-hour Rainfall:
160mm at the Pinnacles (Coromandel)
90mm Whangarei

While the centre of Cyclone Vaianu is still offshore it has caused a very windy night across the top of the country, especially around the exposed northeastern coasts along with large waves of 6m off the Bay of Plenty coast, and periods of heavy rain.

Today looks like our windiest day for most, switching direction for places like Northland and Auckland as we head through the morning.

There’s still plenty of Severe Weather Warnings and Watches in place across the North Island and top of the South Island. www.metservice.com/warnings

11/04/2026

The Community Patrol is heading out today to check on holiday makers in campervans, as well as freedom campers, and advise that they can be safely parked in the under cover Plaza carpark during this storm.
Thank you to our team as well as the Whangaparaoa Community Resilience Group who identified this problem, and to Gary Brown who responded immediately with a successful outcome.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR HOLIDAY CAMPERVANS....
I have been in contact with the owner of Coast Whangaparāoa, 719 Whangaparoa Rd, and he has agreed to make the carpark under the Coast mall available for holiday makers in their campervans on the Hibiscus Coast.
This is great news, as we know the strong winds will make the campervans very vulnerable to the cyclone.
If you are a resident living close to the beach and there are campervans situated at the beach, please go say hi and advise them to go to the plaza for shelter.
Be safe, everyone, during this weekend.
cheers Gary Brown— with Hibiscus Coast.

02/04/2026

Hi Coasties - drawing your attention to the Tsunami Siren test this Sunday at 1200 at Orewa. Note also it is a Daylight Saving change that morning as well.

🚨 Attention Ōrewa residents and visitors! 🚨

A friendly reminder that the bi-annual test of our two tsunami sirens is scheduled to take place on the last day of daylight saving, Sunday, 5th April 2026, at 12pm.

This test is a routine safety measure aimed at supporting our community's preparedness in the event of a tsunami emergency. These tests are drills only and there is no need to take any action.

29/03/2026

Be Alert to fuel thefts in our area:

An increase in fuel thefts from vehicles is being seen due to the dramatic rise in pump prices. Social media community groups are already reporting an increase in theft and theft attempts – ACT NOW

Theres things you can do to help prevent fuel theft from your vehicle. Newer vehicles may have anti-syphon flap/valve but not all..

Use a lockable fuel cap
As well as your locked fuel flap makes it more difficult

• Park in your garage (safest option)
• Park on your property under your motion activated security floodlights
• Park on your property drive with motion activated CCTV (Ring, Eufy, etc.,)
• Park off road if you can

Try to make life as difficult as possible for thieves.

Send a message to learn more

24/03/2026

A Met Service warning that usually goes out on the Whangaparaoa Community Resilience Group page -however we will also from now, post information about any potential emergency situations. The weather for Wednesday and Thursday is forecast to be severe gales, easterlies and north-easterlies. Our patrols will be out checking for flooding and trees down, along with our usual tasks.

21/03/2026

Saturday March 21st- we joined our colleagues and friends from the Whangaparaoa Community Resilience Group at the Whangaparaoa School Gala. Whangaparaoa Community Resilience Group ,
Our education and information displays were alongside our Emergency Services- St John’s, the Fire Service and assisted by the CRG team liaison ‘boss’, from Auckland Emergency Management.
During ‘peacetime’, the CRG team supports the community by educating and helping them understand their local hazards- whether tsunami zone, possible landslide area, or even how the current fuel situation will impact those needing to travel for work, and getting home in an emergency. Being prepared at an individual and household level in particular, by preparing supplies and groceries to store at home.
The Community Patrol team also partners with NEMA and local emergency response services in the event of local or national disasters or serious incidents. Our patrol also has members in the Resilience Group so we can operate either the patrol vehicle , manage the radios , and work in the 3-4 emergency hubs.
The focus of today’s display for the Patrol was to encourage people to join the team, day patrols, night, foot patrols- ( Mitre 10 Whangaparaoa ) and being part of an emergency response group on the peninsula. Full training and uniform provided.
Today’s CRG focus was on the children of the school and their parents- providing information about their position in the local tsunami zone and how to prepare their homes and families.

17/01/2026

Three of our Community Patrol Team attended the Protect Whangaparaoa Rockpools event at Army Bay today. We were there not only as locals but also to be present as uniformed Patrollers.
The crowd were incredibly united, the speeches excellent and the recognition that the coastline has simply been totally destroyed and decimated was a shock to many people.
Our Whangaparaoa MP Mark Mitchell and local Councillors joined the group with extremely supportive speeches and encouragement.

21/12/2025

Our team at the Patrol send their good wishes at this time of year... please take care out on our local roads, the motorways and highways.... make sure there is a responsible dedicated driver... and be like this horse. Neigh.

Have you had anything to drink today sir? Neigh 🤣🐎

Remember if you’re drinking, don’t drive.

09/12/2025

A massive thank you to the local businesses and people who have supported us through sponsoring this years wall-planner. We receive no government funding; our patrol is entirely community funded.

07/12/2025

Patrol members had an excellent day last week completing a specialised First Aid course, focusing on emergency situations, whether out in the field or in a Community Emergency Hub during the aftermath of an incident such as earthquake, tsunami, volcano, blackout or civil unrest.
Working with the Auckland Emergency Management team and KT Services- so good to work with such professional people.
Also with Whangaparaoa Community Resilience Group.

27/11/2025

November 27th- a hot day- a record for November temperatures in the Auckland region. Our patrol
Noticed a lot of open garages, courier packages left unattended and car windows left down… in driveways.
We also spent some time out at the ‘Hammerhead’ - at the Dotterel Protection area, and speaking with a Dotterel protection officer . These beautiful little birds are found only in New Zealand. Just 2500… with only a handful on the Peninsula.
There is a lot of love , support and interest for the only remaining chick that is ready to fledge this week.
So- we are happy to assist with traffic calming.
The Gulf Harbour area is one of the major areas that we patrol.
Loving the many acknowledgements, happy waves, chats and smiles from the local community.