Heretaunga Rural Fire

21/01/2026

Watches & Warnings have now lifted in the North Island as the tropical low moves away to the east.

They remain in place for the South Island, but rain will ease today.

🌩 This afternoon there is a risk of thunderstorms for some parts of the country as a region of unstable air follows the main rainband.

For your local forecast: http://bit.ly/metservicenz
Watches & Warnings: http://bit.ly/AllWarnings

20/01/2026

ORANGE HEAVY RAIN WARNING

MetService has this morning issued an Orange heavy rain warning for Hawke’s Bay for the 24 hours from 10am today to 10am tomorrow, Thursday, 22 January.

Expect 100-150mm of rain with peak rates of 10-20mm/hr. There is a low chance of upgrading to a red warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Our three waters and roading teams are out monitoring our networks and our contractors are on standby to deal with any issues that may impact services.

⚠️ Here’s some tips from NZ Civil Defence and our three waters team on how to get ready and stay safe:

- Stay up to date with the latest weather information from MetService New Zealand - https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

- Clear drains and gutters to help prevent flooding, and secure loose outdoor items or bring them inside

- Drive extra carefully, and avoid unnecessary travel if conditions worsen

- Have essentials ready in case of power outages or road closures

- Make sure you have a grab bag with emergency supplies on hand in case you need to evacuate in a hurry. Remember to pack things like copies of important documents, photo ID and medications.

- If you have livestock, know which paddocks are safe to move livestock to, away from floodwaters, landslides and power lines

- Remember, never enter, swim or drive through flood water.

Other useful information:

MetService - https://www.metservice.com/national

Local road closures: https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/services/roads-and-streets/road-works/

Rainfall data: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/environmental-data/rainfall/

River levels: https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/environment/environmental-data/river-levels/

Havelock North stream levels: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/9d9abb18800f4775910477ed590f30fd

State Highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions/hawkes-bay

20/01/2026

🔴🌧Red Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty including Rotorua, and Gisborne from Tolaga bay northwards.

There is threat to life in these areas from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips. Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.

For information: http://bit.ly/AllWarnings

NZ Civil Defence Civil Defence Northland Civil Defence WaikatoBay of Plenty Civil Defence Tairāwhiti Civil Defence NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Waikato & Bay of Plenty NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Northland NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Hawke’s Bay & Gisborne Auckland Council Waikato Regional Council Gisborne District Council Northland Regional Council

20/01/2026

Thank you 🙏

Thank you for taking notice of the fire safety messages over the previous few weeks, while Hawke's Bay was at high risk of fires.

Rain and cooler temperatures have eased the fire risk in parts of Hawke's Bay which has enabled us to reduce restrictions on open air fires in some places and remove them in others.

From today (Tuesday 20 January) Ahuriri-Heretaunga, Tukituki West and Tukituki East zones will move to a Restricted Fire Season.

A Restricted Fire Season means you must apply for a permit. DO NOT light your fire until your permit is approved.

Wairoa Inland, Wairoa Coast, Te Haroto, Esk-Tutaekuri, Tararua West, Tararua East Tararua Central, Porangahau and Southern Hawke's Bay Coast will move to an Open Fire Season.

Wherever you are, go to www.checkitsalright.nz to make sure of the fire season in your location, and what rules apply to open fires.

13/01/2026

Thank you!

08/01/2026

It’s getting hot out there, so listen to what we’ve got to say…

🔥 High fire danger across Hawke’s Bay 🔥

Things are heating up across Ahuriri Heretaunga, Central Hawke’s Bay, and Northern Tararua from tomorrow.

With temperatures over 30°C, strong winds, low humidity, and very little rain, we have the potential to have what Fire and Emergency calls spike fire risk days.

🗣️ These conditions mean fires can start easily, spread fast, and quickly become extremely difficult to control.

🚒 Our crews are ready and prepared — but we need the public’s help too.

A few small actions can make a big difference:

🚫 Hold off on spark-makers

Postpone mowing, grinding, welding, or using power tools.

🔥 Check old burn piles

If they’re less than two months old, make sure they’re fully out.

🚒 Clear access for fire trucks

At least 4m wide x 4m high on driveways.

📍 Make your RAPID number visible

It helps crews find you faster when seconds matter.

📞 See smoke? Call 111 immediately

Early calls help us stop small fires becoming big ones.

🚫 Fire permits suspended

Most of Hawke’s Bay is already in a restricted or prohibited fire season, and all fire permits are suspended across the District from today.

👉 Stay up to date at www.checkitsalright.nz

Let’s all do our bit to keep Hawke’s Bay safe.

One spark is all it takes — let’s not be that spark. 🔥🚒

06/01/2026

Metservice has forecast temperatures as high as 36C in Hawke's Bay on Sunday.

02/01/2026

🟧Heavy Rain Warnings have been updated for Tairawhiti/Gisborne, and Hawke's Bay north of Napier.

⛈️Thunderstorms may bring downpours of 25-40mm/h.

‼️Surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions are possible.

Details here
http://bit.ly/AllWarnings

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence
HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Hawke’s Bay & Gisborne
Gisborne District Council
Hawke's Bay - Fire and Emergency

02/01/2026

🟧🌧️Gisborne and Hawke's Bay: Heavy Rain Warning Issued🌧️🟧

📍Where: Gisborne and Hawke's Bay
🕛When: Saturday to Sunday
⁉️What: Prolonged rain with heavy falls and possible thunderstorms
⁉️Why/How: A low moving eastwards across the North Island means broadscale heavy rain and convection combine.

🎬Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Get all your info here: http://bit.ly/AllWarnings

Tairāwhiti Civil Defence NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Hawke’s Bay & Gisborne Hawke's Bay Regional Council Gisborne District Council

31/12/2025

Congrats Patrick 👏 👏 👏

Patrick O'Rourke, 68, has served the Rissington brigade for more than 30 years.

30/12/2025

Congratulations to the seven Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel who have been recognised today in the 2026 New Year Honours List.

We are incredibly proud of the commitment that these recipients have made to Fire and Emergency and their communities and we trust that it inspires others to join Fire and Emergency.

To be recognised in this way is a fitting celebration of their outstanding achievements over their many years of service.

• Don Geddes – Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Land Search and Rescue and the community
• Lloyd Clausen – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
• Paul Harris – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
• Patrick O’Rourke – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
• Stanley (Don) Scott – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and civil defence
• Paul (Tomsie) Toms – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and football
• Henry Wheeler – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.

Congratulations to all recipients! ❤️

Find out more on the Fire and Emergency website.