Puriri Volunteer Fire Brigade

14/04/2026

🔥 Please don't dispose of your batteries in your household rubbish bin, they pose a fire risk. Instead take them to The Seagull Cente. 🙏

🔋𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐘𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 – 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐋!
Did you know batteries are 95% recyclable? But if they end up in landfill, they can leak toxic chemicals and cause fires. 🔥

We accept ALL types of batteries at our drop-off centres in Thames, Pauanui, Tairua and Matarangi, and so does your local Transfer Station.

Important:
⚠️ Never throw batteries in household rubbish or recycling – they pose a serious fire risk!

Since 2023, we’ve safely processed over 2 TONNE of batteries in partnership with Phoenix Recycling.

More details on our website: https://www.seagullcentre.co.nz/recycling

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11/04/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘂 🟡⚫

A Regional State of Emergency has been declared for Waikato, including the Coromandel, as we prepare for the full impact of Cyclone Vaianu on Sunday.

This declaration gives emergency services extra powers to respond quickly to the severe weather expected under the current orange and red warnings.

Cyclone Vaianu is a multi‑hazard, potentially life‑threatening event, with damaging winds, heavy rain, large swells, and coastal inundation expected from late tonight and throughout Sunday.

Civil Defence Centres across the district are being activated, and Community-led centres are on standby. Find locations here: www.tcdc.govt.nz/wheretogo

Sandbags are available in Whitianga, Thames, Whangamatā, Coromandel Town, Tairua, and Pāuanui.

People in low‑lying coastal areas, including campers, should move to higher ground. Some freedom‑camping areas are already closed, with more likely.

What to do now:

Finish preparations today
Secure outdoor items
Check on neighbours and whānau
Keep devices charged
Have supplies for several days
Stay away from beaches and coastal structures

Stay updated via MetService, the TCDC website, Facebook, and local radio. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.

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𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘂 🟡⚫

A Regional State of Emergency has been declared for Waikato, including the Coromandel, as we prepare for the full impact of Cyclone Vaianu on Sunday.

This declaration gives emergency services extra powers to respond quickly to the severe weather expected under the current orange and red warnings.

Cyclone Vaianu is a multi‑hazard, potentially life‑threatening event, with damaging winds, heavy rain, large swells, and coastal inundation expected from late tonight and throughout Sunday.

Civil Defence Centres across the district are being activated, and Community-led centres are on standby. Find locations here: www.tcdc.govt.nz/wheretogo

Sandbags are available in Whitianga, Thames, Whangamatā, Coromandel Town, Tairua, and Pāuanui.

People in low‑lying coastal areas, including campers, should move to higher ground. Some freedom‑camping areas are already closed, with more likely.

What to do now:

Finish preparations today
Secure outdoor items
Check on neighbours and whānau
Keep devices charged
Have supplies for several days
Stay away from beaches and coastal structures

Stay updated via MetService, the TCDC website, Facebook, and local radio. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.

10/04/2026

📢 Message from Thames-Coromandel District Council.

https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Our-Council/News-Media-and-Public-Notices/Latest-News/Where-to-go-if-you-need-a-safe-place

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲

With Cyclone Vaianu on the way, four safe locations will be open on Sunday (8:30am–4pm) for anyone who needs shelter or support:

🟩Coromandel: CILT, 150 Pound St
🟩Whangamatā: Whangamatā Hall, 328 Port Rd
🟩Whitianga: Whitianga Town Hall, 24 Monk St
🟩Thames: Baptist Church, 310 Mary St

If you need access before 8:30am, contact details will be posted on the doors and centres can be opened early if required.

Community‑led standby locations

In addition to the four confirmed CDCs, we're getting ready several community facilities across the district to open if the need arises.

These sites will be activated by local teams if conditions worsen or if communities request support. These sites will have contact information posted on their doors.

Marae‑operated safe places (Run by Iwi)

All currently on standby

Manaia – Manaia Marae 17 Marae Road, Manaia
Manaia – Fire Station Goldfields Road, Manaia
Kennedy Bay – Harataunga Marae 1254 Kennedy Bay Road
Kennedy Bay – Paea‑o‑Hauraki Marae 1361 Kennedy Bay Road
Thames – Matai Whetu Marae 12 Ngāti Maru Highway, Kōpū
Whitianga – Ko te Rā Matiti 14 Wharekaho Road, Simpsons Beach
Kōpūtauaki – Kōpūtauākī Community Centre
Opoutere – Paritu Marae
Community‑led safe places (run by Local Community Groups)

All on standby unless otherwise noted

Opoutere 2 Wharekawa Place
Tairua – St Francis Church 248 Main Road
Pāuanui – Lakes Resort Recreation Centre St Andrews Drive
Pāuanui – Sports & Recreation Club 31 Shepherd Avenue
Coroglen – Coroglen Tavern 1937 Tairua–Whitianga Road
Te Rerenga – Te Rerenga Kura 1229 Whangapoua Road
Kuaotunu – Kuaotunu Hall 12 Black Jack Road Open Saturday 2pm–10pm Open Sunday from 7am
Whenuakite – Seabreeze Holiday Park 1043 Tairua–Whitianga Road
Matarangi – Fire Station 201B Matarangi Drive
Opito – Vela Farm 956 Black Jack Road
Puriri – Puriri School 16 Puriri Valley Road
Te Puru – Te Puru Hall 4 West Crescent
Tapu – Tapu Hall Thames Coast Road
Colville – Colville Hall 2310 Colville Road

Stay updated with TCDC website, Facebook, and local radio.

09/04/2026

📢 Message from Thames-Coromandel District Council.

🌧️ Preparing for Cyclone Vaianu – Sandbags available 🌊
As Cyclone Vaianu approaches this weekend, sandbags are being distributed across the Thames‑Coromandel District to help our communities prepare.
Our Emergency Management team is closely monitoring the cyclone’s track alongside MetService New Zealand. This will be the third major weather event this year, and the district is still in recovery from the January storm.
🧱 Sandbags will be available today in:
📍 Whangamatā
📍 Whitianga
📍 Coromandel
📍 Thames
👉 Find pick‑up locations and details on the Council website (see link in the comments below: https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/cyclonevaianu )

📢 What to expect
We’re forecasting a significant wave event along eastern Coromandel beaches on Saturday and Sunday, peaking Sunday morning.
⚠️ Avoid travel on Sunday where possible and hunker down at home.
Please stay away from beaches during the storm due to dangerous conditions, large surges, and the risk of coastal inundation and slips.
Much of the Coromandel is prone to slips, and flooding often occurs where rivers and streams meet the coast, especially during heavy rain and high tides.

🏕️ We’re working with Waikato Regional Council on wave impact modelling and asking campground owners to ensure campers are positioned away from flood‑prone areas.
⚙️ Council preparations include:
✅ Backup power at critical infrastructure
✅ Water reservoirs topped up to 100%
✅ Wastewater plants operating at maximum capacity
✅ Close coordination with Community Response Groups across the district

🚨 Be prepared
Weather impacts like flooding and slips can happen suddenly. Please:
• Have an evacuation plan
• Pack a grab bag
• Sandbag flood‑prone doorways
• Secure loose items
• Stow deck furniture
• Tie down trampolines
• Clear gutters

We’ll have a clearer picture of potential impacts as we get closer to the weekend and will keep you updated.

Stay safe and take care of each other 💙💪Remember – don’t be scared, be prepared.
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🌧️ Preparing for Cyclone Vaianu – Sandbags available 🌊
As Cyclone Vaianu approaches this weekend, sandbags are being distributed across the Thames‑Coromandel District to help our communities prepare.
Our Emergency Management team is closely monitoring the cyclone’s track alongside MetService New Zealand. This will be the third major weather event this year, and the district is still in recovery from the January storm.
🧱 Sandbags will be available today in:
📍 Whangamatā
📍 Whitianga
📍 Coromandel
📍 Thames
👉 Find pick‑up locations and details on the Council website (see link in the comments below: https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/cyclonevaianu )

📢 What to expect
We’re forecasting a significant wave event along eastern Coromandel beaches on Saturday and Sunday, peaking Sunday morning.
⚠️ Avoid travel on Sunday where possible and hunker down at home.
Please stay away from beaches during the storm due to dangerous conditions, large surges, and the risk of coastal inundation and slips.
Much of the Coromandel is prone to slips, and flooding often occurs where rivers and streams meet the coast, especially during heavy rain and high tides.

🏕️ We’re working with Waikato Regional Council on wave impact modelling and asking campground owners to ensure campers are positioned away from flood‑prone areas.
⚙️ Council preparations include:
✅ Backup power at critical infrastructure
✅ Water reservoirs topped up to 100%
✅ Wastewater plants operating at maximum capacity
✅ Close coordination with Community Response Groups across the district

🚨 Be prepared
Weather impacts like flooding and slips can happen suddenly. Please:
• Have an evacuation plan
• Pack a grab bag
• Sandbag flood‑prone doorways
• Secure loose items
• Stow deck furniture
• Tie down trampolines
• Clear gutters

We’ll have a clearer picture of potential impacts as we get closer to the weekend and will keep you updated.

Stay safe and take care of each other 💙💪Remember – don’t be scared, be prepared.

09/04/2026

🌀🌧 With severe weather from Cyclone Vaianu expected over the weekend, please take some time to prepare your property.

🍃 Clear leaves and debris from gutters and drains.

🪑 Secure outdoor items such as trampolines and outdoor furniture.

🐄🐑 Move farm animals to areas that are safe from flooding and wind. 🐴

🚗 Avoid driving through floodwaters.

Stay up-to-date with information at
Civil Defence Waikato Thames-Coromandel District Council
MetService New Zealand

■ In any emergency, call 111

06/04/2026

The Waikato Fire District, moved into an Open Fire Season from today, Tuesday 7 April 2026 at 9am, until further notice.

This means a permit is no longer required to light an open air fire in the area.

At any time you plan to light a fire please do so safely, and check www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting.

05/04/2026

Brigade member, Lydia 👩🏻‍🚒 is in training for the Firefighters Skytower Challenge 🏃‍♀️for a second year.

Not only is Lydia's goal to beat the time ⏳️ from last year, but to also raise awareness and fundraise more for Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

In a unique way, Lydia has set the goal of chopping off 10 cm of hair 💇‍♀️ per $1000 raised and donating it to real hair wigs.

Lydia's hair is 74cm long.

That’s $7400 of hair ready to go!

Check our Lydia's video. 🎥

Can you help Lydia reach her goal?
Every little bit helps and goes towards a cause that is dear to a lot of us.

https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/lydia-lester

28/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who came along to the Puriri Brigade Easter Rock Hunt yesterday 🐰🐣

The weather was perfect 🌞, the school grounds were busy with Rock Hunters 🔍, families and friends enjoyed catching up whilst enjoying the sausage sizzle 😋

Thank you Puriri School Positively Puriri for the use of the school grounds and Burton's Butchery Burton's Butchery Matatoki for supplying their amazing sausages.
☆ Community helping Community☆

🚒 If you heard the fire siren when you were there and it got you thinking about looking at joining the team, we'd love to hear from you 👩🏻‍🚒👨🏻‍🚒
We are looking for new members.
👩🏻‍🚒 For more info have a chat with a current member, message our page to catch up, or pop by the station Thursdays 7:30pm 👨🏻‍🚒

Enjoy your Easter 🐣🐰 stay safe, travel safe

27/03/2026

See you tomorrow 🐰🐣
for the Puriri Fire Brigade 🚒 Easter Rock Hunt 🔍
Saturday 28th March 2026
Puriri School, 9am - 11am 🕘 - 🕚 rock hunt and sausage sizzle

25/03/2026

3, 2, 1 hop, hop, hop 🤸‍♀️🤸‍♂️🤸‍♂️

It's nearly time to hop on down to Puriri School to join us for the Easter Rock Hunt. 🐰🐣

Bring some cash 🪙 with you for the sausage sizzle to support the brigade.

Come and see us to start your search. 🔎

See you there 👩🏻‍🚒👨🏻‍🚒

🔥 Saturday 28th March 2026, 9am - 11am, Puriri School 🐰🐣

☆Here's a clue of what you're looking for☆

20/03/2026

We are excited to bring you another Puriri Volunteer Fire Brigade Easter Rock Hunt 🐰🐣

Saturday 28th March 2026, at Puriri School, 9:00am - 11:00am (or until all the rocks are found)

☆ There will be painted rocks hidden in the Puriri School grounds waiting to be found.
☆ Rocks are limited to 2 per person
☆ Hand your rocks to a brigade member to exchange for your Easter Eggs.

Bring some money 🪙 for the good ol' sausage sizzle.

See you there 👩🏻‍🚒👨🏻‍🚒

▪︎ follow our official page for updates ▪︎
Volunteer Fire Brigade

07/03/2026

Whilst we celebrate all our brigade members, today is International Women's Day - a day to celebrate the achievements of women around the world.

The Puriri Volunteer Fire Brigade is proud to be a brigade that is made up of 50% wahine, across all ranked positions, as well as Fire Appliance Drivers.

We come from different walks of life and bring different skills to the brigade and when we get called we come together for our community alongside the rest of our brigade members.

Would you be interested in joining our crew? Pop into the Station, Thursdays 7:30pm and have a chat.

Today we not only celebrate the women in our brigade, but those that came before us, those that will follow, to the partners and families of all brigade members, and to all women worldwide.

Here's a video put together by our FENZ Team.

International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide on 8th March. This year's theme is



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