Category: fire and emergency

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Fire Safety – North Waikato moves to restricted fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a restricted fire season for North Waikato from 4pm Thursday 19 March until further notice.
During a restricted fire season people wanting to light outdoor fires must apply to Fire and Emergency for a permit and have it approved.
The North Waikato zone includes the Waikato, Hauraki, Matamata Piako, Waipa, Ōtorohanga and Waitomo territorial authorities, and Hamilton City.  
Announcing the fire season change District Manager Daryl Trim says drier conditions during late summer and early autumn have triggered the change.
“Despite regular rainfall, the fire risk in North Waikato is increasing,” Daryl Trim says.
“We’ve had an increase in the number of vegetation fires including several large fires.
“While these have been controlled and extinguished, we anticipate fhese fires will likely become more frequent.
“Having a restricted fire season gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns,” he says.
“A restricted season will reduce the risk to persons and property.”
The Thames-Coromandel District remains in a restricted fire season.
Go to www.checkitsalright.nz for full details of the fire season status and what activities are restricted or banned.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/fire-safety-north-waikato-moves-to-restricted-fire-season/

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Black smoke seen rising from Auckland suburb of Ponsonby

Source: Radio New Zealand

Smoke seen rising over Ponsonby from St Paul’s College. Supplied / Linda Hallas

Black smoke can be seen over the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby.

Photos from St Paul’s College, on Richmond Rd, show smoke rising in the distance.

Do you know more? Share your pictures and stories with us at: iwitness@rnz.co.nz

It is understood Ponsonby Automotive on Williamson Ave is well involved in fire.

Explosions had been heard coming from the scene, Stuff reported.

Smoke seen rising over Ponsonby from St Paul’s College. Supplied / Linda Hallas

Auckland Pet Hospital on nearby Pollen St has been evacuated.

In a post to their Facebook page, staff said “all our animals are safe and have evacuated with us.”

Fire and Emergency has been approached for comment.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/black-smoke-seen-rising-from-auckland-suburb-of-ponsonby/

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FENZ restructure proposal breached good faith and consultation duty, ERA rules

Source: Radio New Zealand

FENZ proposed in November last year to cut 140 positions and make changes to 700 roles. RNZ / Paris Ibell

The Employment Relations Authority found Fire and Emergency (FENZ) breached good faith and its duty to consult under its collective agreement with unions in how it handled its restructure proposal last year.

FENZ proposed in November last year to cut 140 positions and make changes to 700 roles.

Of these, both the Public Service Association (PSA) and New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFA) said 97 non-firefighting roles would go, and 66 significantly changed.

The ruling released on Wednesday found FENZ did not consult early enough to allow for consultation on whether the change should occur and the reasons for the change.

“After consultation commenced, FENZ has not demonstrated it engaged with the unions motivated by a desire to reach consensus or used genuine effort to respond to the views of those being consulted, when the unions communicated with FENZ about its views on the process FENZ had adopted,” said the ruling by authority member Sarah Kennedy-Martin.

She found that FENZ breached its statutory obligation of good faith, saying the timing of the release of the consultation document happened when PSA was tied up with bargaining, and NZPFA was having its annual conference.

Kennedy-Martin said this was not conduct aimed at “maintaining a productive employment relationship”.

The authority member said all parties agreed that the issue of compliance orders could be reserved, and FENZ indicated it would consult with the unions in accordance with the authority’s conclusions.

In a statement to RNZ, FENZ acknowledged the decision.

“We acknowledge the findings that we could have done more in regards to consulting with the unions. We are now considering the findings and working through what this means for our next steps”.

Unions vindicated, want to see FENZ and govenrment commit to no job losses

NZ Professional Firefighters Union secretary Wattie Watson. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

PSA’s national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the ruling was damning for FENZ, and a significant victory for all FENZ workers.

“FENZ worked up a sweeping restructure in secret for months, then gave unions 24 hours’ notice before dropping it on the whole organisation including during the NZPFU annual conference and while PSA bargaining was under way. The authority has confirmed that was unlawful,” she said.

“What we now need to see is FENZ and the government take this proposal off the table, to commit to investing in FENZ, and to guarantee that no one will lose their job,” said Fitzsimons.

The roles affected by FENZ’s proposal included critical expertise, such as training for firefighters and volunteers, and roles helping communities understand fire prevention work, said Fitzsimons.

“These job losses are dangerous for all New Zealand,” she said.

NZPFU’s national secretary Wattie Watson said the madness of the restructure had to stop.

The union said some workers have had to live with the uncertainty of their future employment repeatedly, during FENZ’s rollercoaster of restructures since its establishment in 2017.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/fenz-restructure-proposal-breached-good-faith-and-consultation-duty-era-rules/

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Apartment block evacuated after fire in central Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand

Supplied

An apartment block in central Wellington has been evacuated after a fire on Monday evening.

Two people were in the apartment at the time of the fire.

Police say one person was seriously hurt and taken to hospital.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) was alerted to a small third-floor apartment fire at 5.45pm.

Five fire trucks, two aerial appliances, a command unit and a breathing apparatus tender responded.

Response crews came from Wellington, Thorndon, Brooklyn, Kilbirnie and Karori fire stations, FENZ said.

The apartment block was evacuated and the fire quickly extinguished.

Fire investigators were on the scene, as well as police and ambulance.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/16/apartment-block-evacuated-after-fire-in-central-wellington/

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Fire Safety – Total fire ban as risk escalates in parts of Nelson and Tasman Districts

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand will enforce bans and restrictions on outdoor fires in much of the Nelson-Tasman area from tomorrow morning (Monday 16 March) due to the escalating fire risk.
This includes a Prohibited Fire Season in the Coastal, Waimea and Lake Rotoiti fire zones, where all outdoor fires will be completely banned, and a Restricted Fire Season in the Murchison zone, where outdoor fires will require a permit.
Announcing the fire season changes, District Manager Grant Haywood said no further permits would be issued until conditions ease across the area. Recent rain has not had a significant impact on the underlying fire risk, and he urged people not to be complacent.
“Fires will start and spread very easily and will be more challenging for our firefighters to contain and put out in these conditions,” he said. “If anyone sees signs of smoke, please call 111 immediately.”
Anyone considering an outdoor fire can easily see whether their location is covered by the total ban or the restricted fire season by going to www.checkitsalright.nz
Notes: 
The Coastal, Waimea and Lake Rotoiti fire zones incorporate most of the land within the Nelson and Tasman Districts, extending from and including Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Lakes National Park, Kahurangi National Park (east of the Mt Arthur Range), Richmond Ranges and all of the areas of the Waimea Plains and urban settlements.
The Murchison zone runs from west of Glenhope and includes Longford, Mangles Valley, Matakitaki, Shenandoah and Murchison township. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/15/fire-safety-total-fire-ban-as-risk-escalates-in-parts-of-nelson-and-tasman-districts/

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Search and Rescue operation, Greymouth

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Senior Sergeant Mark Kirkwood, West Coast Search and Rescue:

A Search and Rescue operation is continuing in Greymouth today.

At around 6pm Saturday, emergency services received a report of a person who had been swept out to sea in the Greymouth/Blaketown area.  

Extensive searches have been conducted in the area, involving Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Kotuku Surf Lifesaving and Garden City Helicopters.

The Emily B Drifter was also deployed, the drifter replicates where a person in the ocean may be. 

A kayak was located washed up near Blaketown at around 7:30pm yesterday. Police are making enquiries to determine whether this is linked to the person that was seen.

We’re asking anybody who recognises this kayak, or has not heard from somebody who was kayaking in Greymouth yesterday (7 March) to contact Police via 105.

Please quote the reference number P065678948.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/08/search-and-rescue-operation-greymouth/

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Fire Safety – Fire permits suspended ahead of hot weekend in Queenstown Lakes District

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Hot and windy weather has raised the fire risk in the Queenstown Lakes District to extreme, prompting Fire and Emergency New Zealand to suspend all fire permits in its Lakes Zone for the next three days.
District Commander Craig Gold says that any outdoor fire would cause an unacceptable risk to the community, firefighters and the environment.
“We have reached a critical point in the fire season, and safety is our top priority. With risk levels now exceeding safe operating limits for land management or recreational fires, we are suspending all active permits to protect our communities and our environment.”
The Lakes zone is already in a Restricted Fire Season, so the suspension of existing fire permits means that no outdoor fires can be lit from 8am tomorrow (Friday 6 March) until 9pm on Sunday (9 March).
People carrying out activities that can generate sparks, such as grinding or welding, should take extra care to do this well away from vegetation. Mowing, harvesting and similar activities should be done in the early morning or evening.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/fire-safety-fire-permits-suspended-ahead-of-hot-weekend-in-queenstown-lakes-district/

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Fatal fire, Ōtāhuhu

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, Counties Manukau West CIB:

At around 9pm last night reports were received that a property on Tamaki Ave, Ōtāhuhu was on fire.

Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand attended the scene with an investigation now underway.

At this stage we can advise that one person was located deceased inside the property.

Police are working to establish what has occurred and will remain on scene.

Anyone with information can contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 260305/4989.

Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/fatal-fire-otahuhu/

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Fire Safety – Change of fire season for areas within the Nelson Tasman region

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is enforcing a total fire ban for the St Arnaud zone, which will take effect from 8am on Wednesday 4 March, until further notice.
During a prohibited fire season, no fires are allowed in the open and all fire permits are suspended.
The St Arnaud zone incorporates the urban settlement of St Arnaud and all public conservation land within the zone including Buller Campsite, Jetty Campsite, and the Teetotal Freedom Campsites located to the west of St Arnaud.
Announcing the fire season changes, District Manager Grant Haywood says no further permits will be issued until conditions ease across the area.
“Fires will start and spread very easily and will be more challenging for our firefighters to contain and put out in these conditions,” he says.
“If anyone sees signs of smoke, please call 111 immediately.”
Due to changes in the fire weather conditions, the Lake Rotoiti zone will also enter a restricted fire season from 8am on Wednesday 4 March until further notice.
A restricted fire season means a permit is required to light an open-air fire.
The Lake Rotoiti zone runs from Kikiwa in the north, Rainbow Road to the east, Kawatiri to the west, and incorporates all of the Nelson Lakes National Park.
“Having a restricted fire season gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns,” Grant Haywood says.
All fires in the open air now required an authorised fire permit, these can be obtained by applying online at www.checkitsalright.nz.
“We are asking the public to take extra care during these conditions.
“Go to www.checkitsalright.nz for full details of the fire season status and what activities are restricted or banned.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/04/fire-safety-change-of-fire-season-for-areas-within-the-nelson-tasman-region/

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Employment Disputes – Fire and Emergency received calls for 10 incidents during today’s NZPFU strike

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 10 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Monday, 2 March, the fifteenth time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.
Of the 10 incidents, eight were in areas impacted by the strike.
Four of these were fire alarms which did not result in a fire.
One was a medical incident, to which Hato Hone St John responded as per existing contingency plans.
Two were small fires in a bin and a bush, and one was a motor vehicle crash.
Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper thanked Fire and Emergency’s 11,800 volunteers across the country, particularly those volunteers who were called to attend events in areas impacted by the strike.
“I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers who contributed to the response.”
Ken Cooper also thanked New Zealanders for their extra care during the strike hour.
“It is disappointing the NZPFU continues to escalate its industrial action while we are in facilitation.
“We’ve seen the devastating outcome of fires in Pakuranga and Northcote College in recent weeks during strikes by paid firefighters. The NZPFU continues to gamble with public safety each time they strike,” Ken Cooper says.
“Fire and Emergency has also been seeking an agreed process with NZPFU on how we can respond to emergency situations during these strikes. These NZPFU has rebuffed by these attempts.”
“Fire and Emergency and the NZPFU are currently in a process of facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority’s independent facilitator. We remain engaged with the process in good faith and believe it’s the best chance of coming to a positive sustainable outcome.
“Prior to facilitation, there was a huge gap between what we were offering and NZPFU’s expectations. Fire and Emergency’s offer at the time amounted to a 6.2 percent average increase over three years and compared favourably with equivalent recent public sector agreements, but this was three times less than the NZPFU’s settlement proposal. 
“We believe our offer represented a fair and sustainable increase for our people. We continue to call on the NZPFU to call off its now twice-weekly strikes while the process of facilitation takes place. There is no point gambling with the public’s safety while we are engaged in this process,” Ken Cooper says. 
“We remain committed to a fair, sustainable, and reasonable settlement with the NZPFU, so we can continue working to keep our communities safe.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/02/employment-disputes-fire-and-emergency-received-calls-for-10-incidents-during-todays-nzpfu-strike/

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Employment Disputes – Fire and Emergency received calls for 17 incidents during today’s NZPFU strike

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 17 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Friday 27 February, the fourteenth time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.
Of the 17 incidents, 11 were in areas impacted by the strike.
Nine of these were fire alarms which did not result in a fire.
One was a medical incident which we did not attend. Hato Hone St John responded as per our contingency plans.
The remaining incident was a small fire, which was extinguished by building occupants prior to our arrival.
Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler thanked Fire and Emergency’s 11,800 volunteers across the country, particularly those volunteers who were called to attend events in areas impacted by the strike.
“I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers, who contributed to the response.”
Megan Stiffler also thanked New Zealanders for their extra care during the strike hour.
“Continued strikes by the NZPFU including an escalation to twice weekly strikes, continues to unnecessarily put the public at risk while we remain in facilitated bargaining,” Megan Stiffler says.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/employment-disputes-fire-and-emergency-received-calls-for-17-incidents-during-todays-nzpfu-strike/

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First Responders – Springvale fire update #2

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Firefighters supported by four helicopters have contained and largely suppressed a large grass fire in the Springvale area near Clyde.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Incident Controller Nic McQuillan says residents of most of the properties evacuated this afternoon have been allowed to return home. A small number of properties to the west of McArthur Road are not yet able to go home.
Nic McQuillan said 21 fire trucks and support vehicles had responded and crews had worked hard to save homes from the fast-moving fire. One shed has been destroyed and flames have scorched the exterior of one house. About 20 hectares has been burned on both sides of Springvale Road, which remains closed.
As of 8pm the helicopters had been stood down and some of the fire crews were being released. Multiple crews will be working until dark with one crew staying on the fireground overnight, patrolling in case of flare-ups.
Additional crews will return tomorrow to extinguish some deep-seated areas of fire, Nic McQuillan says.
A specialist tree assessor is at work identifying and felling several dangerous trees which have been damaged by the fire. That work will ensure the safety of firefighters and residents.
This will be the last update for this evening.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/25/first-responders-springvale-fire-update-2/

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First Responders – Springvale fire

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand firefighters are working to contain a large grass fire at Springvale, near Clyde in Central Otago this evening which is threatening properties.
Thirteen crews from around the area are responding supported by four helicopters. Another five crews are on their way.
Fire and Emergency is also working alongside Police to support evacuations of impacted properties.
The fire is emitting a lot of smoke which is drifting towards Alexandra. If you are in the vicinity of the smoke, please stay inside and keep windows closed.
The public is also being warned to take extra care while undertaking any hot works in the area, for example welding, grinding and lawn mowing, as a large number of resources are responding to the fire at Springvale.
Fire and Emergency also asks the public to please stay away from the area so firefighters can do their job to contain the fire.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/25/first-responders-springvale-fire/

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Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the Department of Conservation renew their Service Agreement

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have signed a new three-year Operational Service Agreement.
The Agreement covers how the two organisations work together. It includes the fire control services provided by DOC including services such as advice, research, and personnel for deployments. It covers the designated services provided by Fire and Emergency including training of DOC personnel, wildfire risk analysis, data sharing and advice, and fire investigation reports.
Fire and Emergency Chief Executive and National Commander Kerry Gregory says the Agreement reflects the shared commitment to protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s public conservation land, including fire prevention, research, and raising public awareness.
“It refreshes and strengthens our already strong partnership, with clearer roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities for both organisations,” he says.
Department of Conservation Director-General Penny Nelson says the renewed Agreement shows the strong ongoing relationship between DOC and Fire and Emergency, which is vital to protect special places and unique threatened species.
“Wildfire is a significant threat to biodiversity values, tracks and huts, and public safety, and the risk is only increasing due to climate change. Recent examples like the Tongariro National Park fire show how devastating wildfire can be and the importance of an effective, coordinated response,” Penny Nelson says.
“The refreshed Agreement gives us greater clarity and confidence in how we work together,and strengthens our ability to protect our people, our places, and our taonga.”
Kerry Gregory says the Agreement recognises that fire is a growing risk driven by climate change,and it acknowledges the shared focus on prevention, mitigation, and reducing risk.
“The Agreement also recognises the importance of working with Māori as tangata whenua and reinforces both agencies’ commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” Kerry Gregory says.
“Ngā mihi nui to the people in the joint project group involved in the review.”
The associated Schedules (which detail the supporting operational, service specification, and financial processes) will be jointly developed and finalised within 12 months of signing of the Operational Services Agreement. The existing 2021 Schedules will be retained in the interim. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/25/fire-and-emergency-new-zealand-and-the-department-of-conservation-renew-their-service-agreement/

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Water search and rescue underway, Palmerston North

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Palmerston North Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Phil Ward:

A water search and rescue operation is currently underway in Palmerston North.

At around 11.20pm last night, Police were called with a report that various personal items appeared to have been abandoned in a suspicious manner on Albert Street.

Police responded and found the items which led them down to the Manawatū River, where a man could be seen in the water.

Officers made voice appeals to the man, in an attempt to get him to come back to land, however he disappeared under the water.

Police Search and Rescue and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, attempted to locate the man, but had no luck.

Due to the rough terrain of the river and limited visibility, emergency services were stood down around 1.30am today.

The search recommenced at first light today and involves Police Search and Rescue, Land Search and Rescue, Palmerston North Swiftwater Rescue, and use of the LandSAR boat and drones, to assist searching the Manawatū River.

The community can expect to see an increased Police and emergency services presence in the Albert Street area while the search is ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/25/water-search-and-rescue-underway-palmerston-north/

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Firefighters tackle blaze at Auckland’s Northcote College

Source: Radio New Zealand

Facebook / Northcote College

Firefighters are tackling a blaze at Auckland’s Northcote College.

Fire and Emergency NZ said they were called to the school about 12.15pm on Friday.

A crew from Silverdale is in attendance and more crews are on their way to the scene.

Smoke can be seen from the Harbour Bridge.

On social media, a school spokesperson said: “There is an active fire at Northcote College in the sports pavilion. The fire service is here.

“All students have been evacuated to the other end of the school and are safe.

“We are waiting for further direction from the fire service and will update you as we can.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/firefighters-tackle-blaze-at-aucklands-northcote-college/

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Fire Safety – Central Otago moving to a Prohibited Fire Season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a Prohibited Fire Season in Central Otago beginning at 8am this Saturday, 21 February, banning all outdoor fires until further notice.
District Manager Craig Gold says the ban may come as a surprise to many because of a slow start to summer and Central Otago not experiencing its usual long hot summer days.
“However, it’s been quite deceptive. Our grasslands are now very dry, and the fire risk has been slowly but steadily increasing – notably in Cromwell, Lauder, Clyde and Butchers Dam.
“We have reached the threshold where we need to declare a Prohibited Fire Season,” Craig Gold says.
“While several large, permitted burns have been successfully carried out over the last couple of months, it’s no longer safe to do so, and we appreciate the support of the farming community, in particular, in recognising that,” he says.
Central Otago is predominantly a grassland area with a lot of fuel for potentially disastrous fires that would be extremely difficult to control.
“We want people to be very vigilant,” Craig Gold says.
“A ban on all outdoor fires will reduce the number of callouts and allow Fire and Emergency crews to manage other fires that may occur.”
Anyone wanting to know if they are in the fire ban area, or just not sure, can input their address into Fire and Emergency’s www.checkitsalright website for specific information on their property and location.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/fire-safety-central-otago-moving-to-a-prohibited-fire-season/

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Emergency services at scene of reported chemical leak at Alliance Group’s Levin plant

Source: Radio New Zealand

Firefighters are at the scene. (File photo) RNZ / Nate McKinnon

The number of patients being treated at an industrial site in Levin has risen to 22.

Hato Hone St John ambulance, police and Fire and Emergency were called to Hamaria Road at around 6:30pm, after a chemical incident.

Firefighters set up decontamination gear at Alliance Group’s meat processing plant after reports of a gas leak.

Five ambulances, three rapid response units, two operations managers and a St John Major Incident Support Team were called to the scene.

A fire crew from Otaki has also been called in to help Levin firefighters and a specialist fire unit arrived from Palmerston North.

A spokesperson for Alliance Group confirmed processing at the plant had suspended after a chemical incident at the site led to a “gas reaction”.

St John says while it’s not yet know whether any of the patients is badly injured, no one has been taken to hospital yet and no further ambulances have been requested.

Police have cordoned off the area.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/19/emergency-services-at-scene-of-reported-chemical-leak-at-alliance-groups-levin-plant/

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South Wairarapa residents coming together during floods

Source: Radio New Zealand

A creek burst in banks on Lake Ferry Road south of Martinborough, Wairarapa. RNZ/Mary Argue

Residents in South Wairarapa are turning to one another in the face of “unprecedented” flooding that triggered several evacuations overnight.

The stormy weather lashing the region has caused rivers to burst their banks, inundating roads and cutting off communities.

Thousands of homes were without power across Wairarapa on Monday morning, roads have been closed and schools and trains cancelled.

Flooding has isolated settlements from Pirinoa to Lake Ferry and the south coast at Cape Palliser – which is being battered by southerly gales and huge waves.

South Wairarapa communities have been cut off during the storms. RNZ/Mary Argue

The wild weather meant South Wairarapa farmer Scotty Macdonald didn’t get much sleep, after helping to evacuate three homes in the early hours of Monday morning.

Macdonald said the call-outs weren’t official.

“We couldn’t get to Lake Ferry to get the fire trucks so we were just in our personal wagons.

He said a couple of the homes were already on their way out the door, but the first call at 4am on Monday necessitated a wake-up.

Evacuated house and flooded road in Pirinoa – South Wairarapa. Supplied

A farmer shifting animals had got in touch with him directly after becoming concerned about flooding at his neighbour’s place.

“It’s previously flooded so we knew there was a risk there.

“Within another hour the house was probably close to a metre underwater, but at the time it was only lapping around the edges.”

The resident was woken up “very politely, of course” and told it was time to go.

“It’s time to boogie buddy.”

One of the flooded homes in Pirinoa – South Wairarapa. Supplied

Macdonald said the extent of the flooding has split already cut off settlements into little islands on high ground.

“All along the road – where the rivers meet the road – the roads have been flooded, so we’ve kind of got little sections of population all the way along that are semi-isolated.

“I’ve been here all my life and we’ve had events like this before, but as far as the water levels go, this would be the highest. There are unprecedented areas that haven’t seen this kind of flooding before,” he said.

A falling tree in Carterton took out a car and powerlines. RNZ/Mary Argue

Macdonald said reception was patchy, but support agencies had been making phone calls and neighbours were checking in on one another where they could.

He said the only thing to do now was to hunker down and wait for the water to drop.

“It’s just too dangerous to go anywhere at the moment.”

Another resident in the areas told RNZ it had been a “long and loud night” and they were flooded in.

“[We’re] in the process of getting fallen trees of the driveways and the road in case the rivers decide to overflow.

“High tide’s not until 5, so we’ll be watching how the day goes!”

They said friends in Whangaimoana beach have had “their whole house go under”.

A creek has burst in banks on Lake Ferry Road south of Martinborough, Wairarapa. RNZ/Mary Argue

Fire and Emergency’s Ian Wright said earlier on Monday that residents in Ngawi had been evacuated to Pirinoa Hall due to rising floodwaters, as well as some tourists at The Pinnacles Campgrounds.

On Monday morning former South Wairarapa District Councillor Brian Jephson told Local Democracy Reporting (LDR)’s Sue Teodoro that Cape Palliser Road on the Wellington side of Ngawi was damaged where a stream had blown out a culvert.

“It’s impassable,” he said.

“There’s not much point going down there until the water stops going through it.”

Jephson said while he had about 62mm of rain, his daughter further north had more than 200mm.

“This is nothing new for us down this way,” he said.

Powerco reported at 8.45am on Monday that storms across the lower North Island left 23,455 customers without power.

The hardest-hit areas were the Wairarapa with 8166 outages, Whanganui with 7846, and Manawatū with 6961.

“Wild weather is expected to continue in parts of the network today which may hamper reconnection work and cause more outages,” a spokesperson told LDR.

-Additional reporting by LDR

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/south-wairarapa-residents-coming-together-during-floods/

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Weather News – Fire and Emergency New Zealand prepares for forecast severe weather event

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has deployed two Urban Search and Rescue teams to the North Island’s East Coast today.
Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper says this is in preparation for a severe weather event forecast for Tairawhiti and the Coromandel from this evening and through the weekend.
“Our deploying specialist teams are there to support our volunteer brigades and strengthen local capacity, helping communities stay safe and supported during this weather event.
“One team is prepositioned in Hicks Bay and the other at Te Araroa. Both teams are equipped with drones and rescue equipment,” Ken Cooper says.
“The wet weather is likely to increase the risk of landslides in already saturated conditions and we’re asking the public to stay alert and take care.
“Don’t travel unnecessarily and keep an eye on weather updates.”
Ken Cooper says preplanning is underway to support Coromandel communities.  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/13/weather-news-fire-and-emergency-new-zealand-prepares-for-forecast-severe-weather-event/