Portland Volunteer Fire Brigade

25/04/2026

As the Scouts gathered to honour the Anzacs, we stood with them, and their presence reminded us why we volunteer and of the small part we can play in supporting them to grow into great young Kiwis. Together, we reflect, remember, and honour those who served.
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou
We will remember them.

10/04/2026

01/04/2026

We took it upon ourselves to upgrade 151, personally we think this looks better….

25/03/2026

Please stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel, take care on the roads if you need to be out and about. With damage to trees and powerlines diving may be difficult, especially for high sided vehicles. Don't drive through flood waters. If at any time you feel you, your whanau, or property are at immediate risk call emergency services on 111.

Mōrena Northland,

We’ve seen consistent rain overnight, including some heavy falls across much of the region. The heaviest rainfall so far has been along the East Coast around Kaeo and the Bay of Islands, and there is more to come today.

The Red and Orange Heavy Rain Warnings, as well as the Strong Wind Warning issued by MetService New Zealand, remain in place until the early hours of Friday morning. These warnings will be reviewed later this morning, but the key period of concern is still today through to Friday morning.

The rainfall forecast is still likely to bring: dangerous river conditions, flooding, Slips and landslides, Hazardous driving conditions, and road closures in some areas

This remains an evolving situation, so please continue to keep up to date with the latest information from MetService and your local and regional councils.
Weather warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

⛈️Some rainfall stats:
Overnight Rainfall Stats (4:00pm 25 March – 6:30am 26 March)
The highest rainfall totals have been recorded on the East Coast:
• Touwai at Weta: 152 mm
• Kerikeri at BOI Golf Club: 121 mm
• Waitangi at Wairoa Road: 100 mm

Many rivers in the Far North are running at high levels, with some still rising. If you’re travelling through Kaeo or Waimate North this morning, please take extra care. The Kaeo River has reached a level where flooding on SH10 is possible.
NZTA’s page for the official status before heading out: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions or follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Northland

There are no current road closures reported; however, as roading teams head out this morning, we are likely to see some. Crews will work to clear these as quickly as possible, but please allow for delays.

If you come across any local roading issues or storm related damage on public property, please report it through to your local council:
Whangarei District Council: https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Council/Contact-us/Report-it
Kaipara District Council https://www.kaipara.govt.nz/contact-us
Kaipara District Council https://www.fndc.govt.nz/Your-council/Contact-council

There are a number of isolated power outages around the region. Northpowerand Top Energy NZ crews will be out today working to resolve these issues as soon as they can, but this may take some time.
Check the latest outages here:
• Northpower: https://northpower.nz/outages/
• Top Energy NZ: https://outages.topenergy.co.nz/

Northland Civil Defence works across the councils to provide local welfare support. If centres or marae are open to provide support, they will be published on the district council websites. If you need welfare support, please ring your local district council.
Whangarei District Council | Phone: 0800 932 463 | Website: www.wdc.govt.nz
Far North District Council | Phone: 0800 920 029 | Website: www.fndc.govt.nz
Kaipara District Council | Phone: 0800 727 059 | Website: www.kaipara.govt.nz

Finally, some key reminders for today:

👉Do not enter floodwaters: it only takes a small amount of moving water to knock you off your feet or sweep a vehicle away.
👉Avoid unnecessary travel over this period. Conditions may deteriorate quickly, and roads may close with little warning.
👉 Be prepared to self evacuate if you see rising water, feel unsafe, or notice conditions worsening.
👉 Be aware of landslide risks, and keep well away from areas that have recently been affected by slips or landslides. If you notice cracks in the ground, tilting trees or power poles, unusual noises, or rapid changes in stream levels, leave immediately.
👉If at any time you feel you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk, please call emergency services on 111

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates here as more information becomes available.

If you can, stay home today, and if you are travelling, please drive to the conditions.

📷Image: MetService New Zealand Rain radar at 7.43 Am 26/03/2026

07/03/2026

14/02/2026

Such an awesome day at Waitangi! Always a highlight seeing the kids get up close with the truck and connecting with the community. A fun one all round 🔥🚒

12/02/2026

On this weeks episode of training… KNOTS!

10/02/2026

Trainings back in the Portland brigade, after a nice break, we are ready to give 2026 all we have to offer!!🙌

20/01/2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is closely monitoring today’s severe weather forecast. We are working alongside Civil Defence Northland and partner agencies to help keep Northland communities safe. Please stay informed and follow official advice. If you feel your life or property is at risk, don’t hesitate to call 111.
Ngā mihi

Update 22/01/26.

MetService New Zealand Red Heavy Rain Warning was lifted last night (Wed 21 Jan) after 11 PM.

See our latest post for details: https://www.facebook.com/civildefencenorthland/posts/pfbid02EtahrNUBKLpYSUA7FvthwPeEXxQQ1MtEw42AV8H8uxoP4ZYz8Mu1PCM9F5qibCD8l

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🔴 MetService New Zealand has upgraded Northland's Orange Heavy Rain Warning to a Red Heavy Rain Warning. A Red Warning is only issued for the most impactful events.

With this heavy rain coming on top of the constant heavy rain we’ve been having, streams and rivers may rise rapidly and become dangerous. Surface flooding, slips and flood water are likely to close roads and disrupt travel. Flooding of low-lying areas is also possible.

The main period of concern remains the next bout of rain that is forecast to arrive later today, and will continue overnight; especially for communities that have already experienced impacts from previous rainfall.

🔴 Full warning details:

Heavy Rain Warning - Red

-Period: 14hrs from 9am - 11pm Wed, 21 Jan

-Area: Northland

-Forecast: Expect another 90 to 120 mm of rain on top of what has already accumulated, or possibly more in some localised areas, especially in the north and east. Peak rates 25 to 40 mm/h in localised downpours from this afternoon.

-Impact: Threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips. Conditions will disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.

-Action: Do not enter floodwaters and avoid travel. Act quickly to self-evacuate if you see rising water. Be ready for power and communications outages.

📡For the latest update on the warnings head to: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -

Taking a few simple steps now can make a big difference, and even if conditions aren’t as severe where you are, there’s no harm in being prepared.

For anyone who hasn’t yet, or who needs a reminder — if it is safe to do so:
-Clear drains and gutters

-Secure loose outdoor items

-Move valuables and vehicles away from flood-prone areas

-Relocate stock from low-lying land and bring pets indoors

-Have essential supplies ready in case of power outages or road closures

-Have a grab bag and evacuation plan ready

If at any time you feel you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk, please call emergency services on 111 📞

📍Your local district council is the best place to both report issues with and get updates on, local infrastructure, such as local roads.

Northland Civil Defence works across the councils to provide local welfare support. If centres or marae are open to provide support, they will be published on the district council websites below:

Whangarei District Council | Phone: 0800 932 463 | Website: www.wdc.govt.nz

Far North District Council | Phone: 0800 920 029 | Website: www.fndc.govt.nz

Kaipara District Council | Phone: 0800 727 059 | Website: www.kaipara.govt.nz

🔌Power outages:

Whangārei & Kaipara Districts (Northpower): https://northpower.nz/outages/

You can contact the Northpower faults line: 0800 104 040

Far North District (Top Energy) https://outages.topenergy.co.nz/

You can phone Top Energy: 0800 867 363

🚧State highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner

We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely and share updates as the situation develops.

Local councils, emergency services, and Northland Civil Defence continue to meet regularly and coordinate closely. We are monitoring the situation in close contact with MetService and the Northland Regional Council hydrology team, and are positioning resources around the region so we can respond effectively if needed.

Stay safe Northland, we got this!

19/01/2026

Please see below the latest update from Civil Defence Northland, take care if you are out on the road and drive to the conditions, Stay safe
Ngā mihi

Updated 5.22pm 20/01/2026

This afternoon, MetService New Zealand updated the Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Northland.

One of the key changes is that there is now a high chance of upgrading to a Red Warning. (Here’s a video explaining the MetService warning and watch system: https://bit.ly/49weLoo)

The main timeframe of concern is from 4am Wed 21 Jan – 1am Thu 22 Jan.

🌧️ Due to this weather system coming on top of already wet conditions, we may see streams and rivers rise rapidly as well as surface flooding and slips, which may impact driving conditions and lead to road closures.

This remains an evolving situation, so please keep up to date with the latest forecasts and information.

📡 Weather warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

🚧 State highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway.../northland

📍 Local roads: Far North District Council Whangarei District Council Kaipara District Council

We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely and share updates as the situation develops.

The key messages from the post below remain largely the same; stay safe and prepared.

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Updated 10 50 AM 20/01/2026

This morning MetService New Zealand have updated the Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Northland and unfortunately, it’s looking like there is a lot more heavy rain to come for our region.

With forecast heavy rain expected on top of recent rainfall, there is an increased risk that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, and slips may occur, particularly in flood prone areas across Northland. So, we’re urging everyone to be prepared.

This is an evolving situation, so please keep up to date with the latest forecasts and information.
📡 Weather warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north
🚧 State highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/northland
📍 Local roads: Check your local council websites and pages

We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely and share updates as the situation develops.

Local councils, emergency services, and Northland Civil Defence continue to meet regularly and coordinate closely. We are monitoring the situation in close contact with MetService and the Northland Regional Council hydrology team, and are positioning resources around the region so we can respond effectively if needed.

While we continue to prepare, we are again asking Northlanders to take some time today, if they haven’t already, to check that they’re prepared for any severe weather that may arrive.

🔑Key preparedness reminders:
• Clear drains and gutters
• Secure loose outdoor items
• Move valuables and vehicles away from flood prone areas
• Relocate stock from low lying land and bring pets indoors
• Have essentials ready in case of power outages or road closures
• Have a grab bag and evacuation plan ready
• If at any time you feel you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk, call emergency services on 111.

It was great to see how Northlanders rallied together for last week’s heavy rain. So, we know we can do it if we need to, and spending that little bit of time now preparing can make a big difference if this weather does severely impact Northland.

Lastly, if you can, check on your neighbours – some of whom may need practical help, but some may only need reassurance and someone to talk to.

Stay safe, we got this Northland
Far North District Council Kaipara District Council Whangarei District Council