Te Puni Kokiri Ikaroa-Rawhiti

10/04/2026

Kia haumaru tatau!!

Strong winds like we are expecting from Cyclone Vaianu can cause power cuts and affect phone and internet service.

Make sure you're prepared for no power, phone or internet at getready.govt.nz/impacts

If you need emergency help, always try calling 111 — even if your mobile phone shows no signal or your network provider appears unavailable.

Text instead of call if you can as texts take up less room on the networks.

If you or someone at home relies on electricity to prevent serious harm to health, let you power company know. Learn how you can prepare for power cuts if you rely on electricity for medical reasons at https://www.ea.govt.nz/your-power/consumer-care-obligations/if-you-rely-on-electricity-for-medical-reasons/

10/04/2026

Kia Ora whanau,
As we have been made aware that this Cyclone Vaianu is going to cause significant impact to us locally here in Tairawhiti.
It is now time to get Cyclone Impact Prepared.
Check on your supplies, check on your Pets and Animals, Check on our Kuia and Kaumatua.
Our team are getting prepared to stand up and support you all as this Cyclone approaches.
We are also asking you to prepare also. Make sure you have your medications and milk supplies if needed.
If you are in a flood prone area, consider making plans to move to higher ground apopo to wait out the storm. We must stress the impotence of if you are thinking of moving to please do so in daylight tomorrow!
Impact is due from 2am Sunday for at least 24hours.
Kia Haumaru whanau, we got this whanau!

10/04/2026

Due to Cyclone Vaianu expected to impact our region, we're closing the following roads to heavy vehicles, they are restricted to residents only from 5pm Friday to 11am Monday.

🛑Waiomatatini Road
🛑Tuparoa Road
🛑Tapuaeroa Road
🛑Mangaoporo Road
🛑Rangitukia Road
🛑Poroporo Road
🛑Whakaangiangi Road
🛑East Cape Road
🛑Onepoto Road
🛑Potikirua Road
🛑Hokoroa Road
🛑Lower Mata / Tuakau / Ihungia loop

Check our website for more details
https://www.gdc.govt.nz/services/roads/road-information

Stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel.

09/04/2026

Clear messaging coming from Tairāwhiti Civil Defence!! Kia haumaru tatau!

09/04/2026

Do as Uawa does!!

24/03/2026

PANUI‼️

Kia ora whānau,

We’ve been alerted to a series of AI generated messages circulating on social media. The latest are using Māori Housing Network to entice people to click on the message.

These messages include incorrect information and are not produced by Te Puni Kōkiri. We are investigating how to stop these kinds of messages as they are misleading whānau.

All genuine Te Puni Kōkiri messages will appear on our page or website – www.tpk.govt.nz

To protect yourself:
• Do not click on suspicious links
• Report the message to the platform it appeared on

Let’s keep our whānau safe by spreading the word.

15/02/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=934692318912297&id=100071146126441&mibextid=wwXIfr

🌧️ 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐚 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲):

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧: 50–80mm across Wairarapa (higher in the Tararua Range and Eastern Hills)
𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬: Southwesterly gusts up to 120km/h in exposed areas from late Sunday
𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥: Up to 7m waves along the Wairarapa coast (Turakirae Head to Mataikona), with debris and flooding risk around high tide

Expect rising rivers and streams, debris, slippery tracks, possible slips, hazardous driving, and potential power outages.

👩‍🌾 𝐎𝐧-𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬
✔️ Pass warnings to those who may not be on social media
✔️ Check in again later, especially isolated or elderly neighbours

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬
✔️ Fuel your generator, charge phones/devices, and get torches, radios & spare batteries ready
✔️ Fill baths with clean water for essential use if no generator
✔️ Use WhatsApp or local group chats to stay connected
✔️ Dairy farmers: make a contingency plan for milking if power is lost

𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲
✔️ Shift stock from flood-prone paddocks and waterways
✔️ Avoid moving animals once rivers rise or conditions worsen

𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬
✔️ Conditions can deteriorate quickly — wear your helmet and tell someone your route & expected return time
✔️ Avoid driving on coastal roads and tracks within 1–2 hours either side of high tide
✔️ Consider delaying any non-essential travel plans

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐬 & 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝
✔️ Secure calf sheds, tunnel houses, loose structures, empty trailers, and water troughs
✔️ Check and secure irrigators
✔️ Close shed doors properly
✔️ Keep a chainsaw and extra fuel handy
✔️ Check and secure sheds, gates, and silos

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐚:

Message us on Facebook or call 0800 787 254

⚠️ Stay safe and prepare early.
Follow Wellington Region Emergency Management Office for updates, we expect more information between 10am–12pm today.

15/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1320363403453518&set=a.303679525121916&type=3&mibextid=wwXIfr

UPDATED 5.05pm, Tuesday 17 February*

These are the current road closures:

• Cape Palliser Road from Te Kopi CLOSED to all traffic
• A section of Lake Ferry Road is CLOSED between Warrens Road and the junction with Cape Palliser Road where the road approaching Turanganui Bridge has been damaged. More info: https://swdc.govt.nz/notices-and-updates/section-of-lake-ferry-road-closed-for-urgent-repairs/
• Do not travel over the bridge that crosses the Hurupi Stream on Cape Palliser Road. It has been deemed structurally unsafe. More info: https://swdc.govt.nz/notices-and-updates/urgent-public-safety-notice-do-not-use-hurupi-stream-bridge/

All previously closed roads are now open.
------------------

*UPDATED 2.15pm, Tuesday 17 February*

⚠️ URGENT PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE: Do not travel over the bridge that crosses the Hurupi Stream on Cape Palliser Road. It has been deemed structurally unsafe.

If you are isolated and require assistance, call 0800 239 247 (0800 CD WAIRARAPA).

More info here: https://swdc.govt.nz/notices-and-updates/urgent-public-safety-notice-do-not-use-hurupi-stream-bridge/

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*UPDATED 6.50am, Tuesday 17 February*

White Rock Road is now OPEN - caution is required due to surface flooding and crews working on site.

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*UPDATED 6.50am, Tuesday 17 February*

Ponatahi bridge is now OPEN

These roads remain closed, next update around 9am

• White Rock Road CLOSED (closest intersection is Harris Road North)
• Cape Palliser Road from Te Kopi CLOSED to all traffic
• Lake Ferry Road CLOSED at Kahutara intersection. The alt route is open through Kahutara
• A section of Lake Ferry Road is currently CLOSED between Warrens Road and the junction with Cape Palliser Road where the road approaching Turanganui Bridge has been damaged. More info: https://swdc.govt.nz/notices-and-updates/section-of-lake-ferry-road-closed-for-urgent-repairs/

--------------------------------

*UPDATED 9pm, Monday 16 February*

MetService have advised the following wind and heavy rain warnings. With the sodden ground and existing wind damage, it will be important to be aware of any additional stress on our region, even for short period as outlined below:

🌧️ Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Area: The eastern hills of Wellington, also Wairarapa, and the Tararua Range
Period: 3hrs from 8:00pm Mon to 11:00pm Mon
Forecast: Expect 15 to 25 mm of rain on top of what has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 15 mm/h expected.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

💨 Strong Wind Warning - Orange
Area: Coastal parts of Wairarapa and Tararua District
Period: 3hrs from 8:00pm Mon to 11:00pm Mon
Forecast: Southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

--------------------

*UPDATED 5.53pm, Monday 16 February*

🚧 The following roads will remain closed overnight, an update will be provided around 6.30am tomorrow morning:

• Ponatahi (also knows as Huangarua) bridge is CLOSED
• White Rock Road CLOSED (closest intersection is Harris Road North)
• Cape Palliser Road from Te Kopi CLOSED to all traffic
• Lake Ferry Road CLOSED at Kahutara intersection. The alt route is open through Kahutara

It's now looking unlikely that SH53 Waihenga bridge will close as the river level is subsiding.

--------------------------

*UPDATED 2.50pm, Monday 16 February*

‼️ There is a BOIL WATER NOTICE in place for PIRINOA ‼️
ALL drinking water in Pirinoa must be boiled before use, including for drinking, preparing food, making baby formula, or brushing teeth. We have reshared a post by Wellington Water - see this for more information, advice, and updates, or visit our website - https://swdc.govt.nz/media-releases/boil-water-notice-issued-to-pirinoa/

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*UPDATED 12.10pm, Monday 16 February*

🚧 Road updates:
• Ponatahi (also knows as Huangarua) bridge is CLOSED
• White Rock Road CLOSED (closest intersection is Harris Road North)
• Cape Palliser Road from Te Kopi CLOSED to all traffic
• Lake Ferry Road CLOSED at Kahutara intersection. The alt route is open through Kahutara
• Te Wharau Road CLOSED
• Waihakeke Road is now OPEN

❗️NZTA have indicated that Waihenga Bridge on SH53 may close today due to flooding.

If this bridge closes, the Lower Valley bridge on Kahutara Road will also close. With the Ponatahi bridge currently closed, the only alternative route out of Martinborough would be via Hinekura and Longbush Roads.

Please allow for additional travel time if required, and drive to the road conditions.

📞 Our service centre at Martinborough Library is CLOSED today but our Customer Service team is available to help you over the phone. Call 06 306 9611.

📖 South Wairarapa’s three libraries and three outdoor pools are CLOSED today.

♻️ Coastal rubbish and recycling collections are CANCELLED for today, due to road closures and dangerous conditions.

👉 Today’s Economic Development Fund drop-in session at Martinborough Library 10am-12pm is POSTPONED. Email [email protected] for new time, drop-in resources and link for tomorrow’s online session.

Regarding whether schools and early childcare education centres are open today, check with your school or the Ministry of Education.

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UPDATED 16 Feb 8.50am -
Te Wharau Road is CLOSED
Waihakeke Road is CLOSED

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UPDATED 16 Feb 6.52am -
Ponatahi (also knows as Huangarua) bridge is CLOSED - this will be reviewed at 8am
White Rock Road CLOSED (closest intersection is Harris Road North)
Lake Ferry Road CLOSED at Kahutara intersection. The alt route is open through Kahutara.
-----

UPDATE 6.22pm -
Cape Palliser Road from Te Kopi will be CLOSED to all traffic from 8pm tonight (15 Feb) due to large swells which could impact the road. An update will be provided at 8am tomorrow morning.

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⚠️ Severe weather for Wairarapa – potential for Martinborough, coastal and rural communities to be temporarily isolated ⚠️

Rain, wind, and swell warnings are in place throughout the Wairarapa from this afternoon (Sunday) through to tomorrow (Monday), and residents should be prepared for potentially severe impacts.

Current forecasts are for rain from the weather front to impact most seriously the coastal hills, from Cape Palliser north, including Tuturumuri, Tora, Flat Point, Riversdale, Castlepoint, Tinui, and Mataikona.

The peak of the storm is likely to arrive at around 9pm.

👉 People with experience of flooding and living close to waterways should consider self-evacuating in daylight.

👉 Anyone needing guaranteed access to larger centres for medical or other important appointments should consider taking steps today to travel in daylight before the height of the storm.

🚧 In Martinborough, the Waihenga, Ponatahi, and Tuhitarata (also known as Kahutara) bridges are likely to be closed due to high river water levels expected around 4am.

🚧 Cape Palliser Road will be closed to visitors this afternoon as a result of the swell. It will remain open to residents for now but also has the potential to close to all traffic later on.

🚧 The combination of rain and wind raises the likelihood of road closures through slips and fallen trees.

🚧 The Remutaka Hill road would be expected to be close if winds reach 130km/h in the area.

Unnecessary travel should be avoided.
- Be prepared for extended power cuts
- Be prepared with extra water stored at home
- Clear gutters and driveways/culverts to allow water to flow into drains.

Keep up to date with weather updates via:
- Metservice – metservice.com/rural/regions/wairarapa/
- SWDC road closures - https://swdc.govt.nz/road-alerts/
- NZTA (roadclosures) – journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner
- PowerCo re power outages – outages.powerco.co.nz
- Call 111 if an emergency
- Report roading and slips to South Wairarapa District Council on 06 306 9611.

More information about the weather warnings is in our previous Facebook post and on our website: https://swdc.govt.nz/notices-and-updates/strong-wind-and-heavy-swell-warnings-in-place-for-wairarapa/

We'll update this post as more information comes to hand. Stay safe South Wairarapa 🩵

15/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CQJrmLxkk/?mibextid=wwXIfr

‼️𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁‼️

A State of Emergency has been declared by Mayor Scott Gilmore for the whole Tararua District pre-emptive of the severe weather expected this evening and overnight, based on forecasts from MetService.
This declaration enables us to act quickly and coordinate resources if conditions worsen. People are strongly urged to take this seriously and prepare now, while there is still daylight.
Council has activated its response team and is monitoring the situation closely.

Key risks include:
❗️ Slips and debris on roads
❗️ Widespread landslides in both rural and urban areas
❗️ Surface flooding
❗️ Rising rivers
❗️ Hazardous driving conditions
❗️ Heavy swells on our coastlines
❗️ Power outages

Please avoid travel if possible. Slips and surface flooding may impact travel. Do not enter flood waters.

Home advice:
👉 Move any items from areas of your property that are prone to flooding.
👉 Clear gutters and drains to help prevent surface flooding.
👉 Bring inside anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds, or tie them down.
👉 Bring pets inside where possible.

Farm advice:
👉 If you have livestock, know which paddocks are safe to move them away from floodwaters, landslides, isolated trees, and power lines.
👉 Stay away from parts of your farms that are at risk of landslides.
👉 If there has been a landslide, stay well away as there is the risk of further landslides occurring.

Boating advice:
There are significant swells forecast for both coasts, with the east coast expected to see combined waves of up to 8 metres.
👉 Stay out of the water, away from beaches, and be prepared to move to higher ground.
👉 Boats should be moored securely or moved to a safe location. Use rope or chain to secure boat trailers.

Make sure your devices are charged and you have a battery-powered radio to listen to news updates.
Look out for each other. Take the time to check in on friends, whānau and neighbours. It’s easier to get through emergencies when we work together

Contact us on 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110 for any issues or information.
Call 111 for any emergencies.

15/02/2026

Tararua Whānau,
Kia haumaru tō koutou noho

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CMJb3PGub/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Here is the situation as we know it this afternoon.

⚠️ There are multiple weather watches and warnings across our region.

🔴MetService New Zealand has issued a red-level severe weather warning for Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts north of Feilding and east of State Highway 1. Expect 140 to 180mm of rain from 6pm tonight until 2pm Monday. See the post pinned to our page for more info.

🟠Orange-level rain warnings are still place for the Tararua District, south-western Ruapehu and northern Whanganui, while Tararua District also has a strong wind warning in place.

💧Waterways across the region are expected to rise significantly as rain falls during the night. This includes the Manawatū, Makino, Pohangina, Ōroua, Rangitīkei, Turakina and Whangaehu rivers.

⛰️ It is highly likely there will be landslides across the region.
MetService has described the event as “significant and dangerous” and people should take precautionary measures immediately.

📍Tararua District Council have declared a pre-emptive state of emergency for the entire district. This declaration enables TDC and emergency services to act quickly and coordinate resources if conditions worsen.

No matter where you are in the region, you need to be aware of this event and take it seriously. This is not "pina colada in the rain" weather, but a serious emergency which will create unsafe conditions.

✅Prepare while there is daylight. It is easier and safer to pre-emptively evacuate during daylight than trying to do so when it's dangerous at night.
✅If in doubt, get out – this applies to people and stock. You are best to pre-emptively evacuate areas during daylight, rather than waiting for conditions to worsen overnight.
✅Avoid any unessential travel. If you have travelled for the weekend and plan to return home later tonight, either bring forward your travel plans or look for somewhere to stay overnight.
✅Never, ever try to walk, play, swim or drive in flood water.
Important information

🚘 Roading conditions

🛑 State Highway 56 at Ōpiki is likely to become impassable early Monday morning due to flooding.
🛑 State Highway 3 at Whangaehu is likely to become impassable overnight due to flooding.

🚧 On current forecasts, Horizons Regional Council will need to operate the Makino floodgates at Feilding and the Moutoa floodgates on the Manawatū River overnight.

We will send more updates throughout the evening. Past updates are available via our website https://www.mwcdem.govt.nz/ and on our page.

For details of weather watches and warnings, see https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home.

15/02/2026

Stay safe whānau

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14VQueiJb2B/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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

30/01/2026

Reimbursement funding

Government has announced support for marae involved in severe weather event

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/1m-marae-providing-support-following-weather-events