FENZ Waipawa Volunteer Fire Brigade

24/04/2026

Lest we forget!

12/04/2026

CYCLONE VAIANU UPDATE FROM CHBDC

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏𝟎𝐩𝐦, 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟐 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥

Thank you for your continued support today, Central Hawke’s Bay.

Some good news as the Heavy Rain Warning for Hawke's Bay has just been lifted by MetService New Zealand. There has been some rain in the ranges throughout the day (80-100mm) so we will see the river levels rise overnight, but not to dangerous levels.

We are not out of the woods with the wind. Metservice has just updated its Strong Wind Warning for Northwesterly gales up to 120km/h until 5am tomorrow, Monday 13 April. We can therefore likely expect some further impacts on our roading network and to powerlines with falling trees throughout the night. Please avoid driving tonight, and check https://www.centralines.co.nz/outages/ for updates on power outages - noting that Centralines have advised their crews will not be out tonight to make sure they are safe.

In terms of coastal impacts, while the peak of the swell and waves has likely been reached, there will still be large swells and waves coming through at the next hight tide at 1.30am tomorrow morning (Monday 13 April). Evacuation zones remain in place for parts of Kairakau, Blackhead and Pourerere. Please continue to stay away from beaches and coastal areas as there is still potential for coastal inundation.

The Civil Defence Centre at St Peters Church hall has been closed. Anyone requiring support or information can call us on 06 857 8060 or visit the Waipawa Library during normal opening hours.

We will continue to closely monitor conditions and impacts overnight, and our teams are currently putting plans in place for the morning. Our roading crews will be out early, prioritising inspections of routes to our coastal communities and clearing roads to support the safe return of those who have evacuated.

Priority will also be given to supporting Centralines crews to access affected areas where power outages have occurred.

As always please report any issues on our 24/7 phone number 06 857 8060, and for an emergency dial 111.

Unless conditions change, this will be our last update tonight. We will be back in touch early tomorrow morning.

Keep following official updates HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group

Stay safe and take care tonight.

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𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟕.𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦, 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟐 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥

Thanks for your support today Central Hawke’s Bay.

Cyclone Vaianu continues to impact our district. As the centre of the storm passes over the region, we can expect a temporary lull in wind and rain. However, conditions are forecast to intensify again this evening, with winds shifting from northeasterly to northwesterly. Follow MetService New Zealand for the latest weather forecast updates.

Our team we’re on the ground at 6:30am this morning and we’re handing over to the night shift shortly.

Please continue to report any issues on our roads via our 24/7 number 06 857 8060.

Our Civil Defence Centre at St Peter’s Church, Kenilworth Street will close at 7pm tonight. If you require assistance, please contact us on 06 857 8060 (24/7). Our Welfare team has a plan in place to support those in need.

Mataweka Marae (194 Tapairu Road, Waipawa) and Rongomaraeroa Marae (27 Pah Road, Pōrangahau) are open.

Anyone that’s been evacuated and needs accommodation or assistance can call us on 06 857 8060 on our 24/7 number.

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟑 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥

📚 Central Hawke's Bay District Libraries - Waipawa & Waipukurau will both open on Monday however the scheduled school holiday programme for tomorrow has been cancelled.

♻️ Rubbish kerbside collection, the Waipukurau service will run as normal on Monday and Tuesday.
♻️ Monday’s coastal collection is cancelled.
♻️ The Waipukurau transfer station will open at 9.30

Pourerere Beach Road (closed from 202) is currently the only road closed in the district.

Please take care out there Central Hawke's Bay and remember to report any issues to us 24/7 on 06 857 8060.

We'll keep you updated at https://www.chbdc.govt.nz/home/emergency-management-cyclone-vaianu/
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Update: 4pm

ℹ️ Metservice updates: MetService New Zealand
ℹ️ Civil Defence updates: HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
ℹ️We’re starting to see some impacts across our roading network, go here for updates: https://www.chbdc.govt.nz/services/roads-and-streets/roads-streets-and-weather-event-information
ℹ️Power outages: https://tinyurl.com/CHB-power-outages OR http://unison.co.nz/outages/
ℹ️ Update from our whānau at Te Whatuiāpiti marae, the drive out to the marae is hazardous we are not encouraging anyone to travel out there.

Mataweka Marae (194 Tapairu Road, Waipawa) and Rongomaraeroa Marae (27 Pah Road, Pōrangahau) and our Civil Defence Centre at St Peter’s Church, Kenilworth Street, are still open.

Anyone that’s been evacuated and needs accommodation or assistance can call us on 06 857 8060 on our 24/7 number.
If at any time, you’re in immediate danger to your property or life, dial 111.

If you need to talk to someone, here are some numbers
Need to Talk? Call or text 1737 (24/7)
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (7am - midnight) or free text 4357 (HELP)
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Update: 1pm

No further changes to MetService New Zealand forecasts and advice.

🟠Warnings and watches remain in place for wind, rain and swells. If you’re worried, and/or you’re vulnerable, or currently in one of our coastal communities, please go now if you haven’t already.

Scroll down for more info ⬇️
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Update: 11:25am

Coastal areas advised to evacuate now, by midday today, 12pm Sunday 12 April.

🟠Heavy Rain Warning

MetService has just issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the coastal hills south of Cape Kidnappers and Wairarapa Period: 13hrs from 11:00am Sun to 12:00am Mon Forecast: Expect 70 to 100 mm about the coastal hills, with lesser amounts elsewhere.
This could affect smaller streams and catchments towards the coast and impact the ability to get out later.

The combination of damaging winds, the increased heavy rain and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event. The impacts associated with Cyclone Vaianu, are power outages, falling trees, flooding, slips and road closures.

We are strongly advising people in coastal areas to evacuate now.
It is likely that the roads and access will be affected, meaning emergency services will not be able to reach our coastal communities. It is possible we will not be able to open access for an extended period of time.

Areas to evacuate immediately, these beach communities:
• Mangakuri
• Kairākau
• Pourerere
• Aramoana/Shoal Bay
• Blackhead
• Whangaheu
• This does not currently incude Te Paerahi or Pōrangahau.

There is a Civil Defence Centre at St Peter’s Church, 52 Kenilworth Street Waipawa for our impacted coastal communities.

Maraes that are opening as community hubs, in addition to the Civil Defence Centre
• Te Whatuiāpiti Marae – 1080 Te Aute Trust Road, Poukawa
• Mataweka Marae – 194 Tapairu Road, Waipawa
• Rongomaraeroa Marae – 27 Pah Road, Pōrangahau

Our team is on call 24/7 on 06 857 8060
If at any time, you’re in immediate danger, to your property or life, dial 111
We know this is triggering for a lot of people who went through Cyclone Gabrielle. If you need to talk to someone, here are some numbers
Need to Talk? Call or text 1737 (24/7)
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (7am - midnight) or free text 4357 (HELP)

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Sunday 12 April 12, 2026, 10am

Thanks, Central Hawke’s Bay for playing your part to prepare for Cyclone Vaianu over the past few days. We’re continuing to monitor the situation, we’re starting to see wind picking up and this will build as the cyclone approaches and passes over Central Hawke’s Bay.

🟠Heavy Rain Warning
The only change to yesterday’s forecast is an increase to expected rain levels in the Ruahine Ranges. The has moved to 150-180 mm over 18 hours 3am Sunday to 9pm Sunday.

While we’re expecting our rivers to swell, areas like Pōrangahau and Waipawa are not expected to be a concern. This is based on forecasting and modelling information from Hawke's Bay Regional Council . You can keep an eye on the river levels here https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/webcams

If you’re worried, and/or you’re vulnerable, please stay with family and friends today, travel early and in day light hours.

🟠 Strong Wind Warning
Severe gale easterlies changing to severe gale northwesterlies Sunday afternoon or evening, gusting 130km/h in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

🚗Road Closures
Pourerere Beach Road is closed after 202 Pourerere Beach Road.

ℹ️Localised State of Emergency
A localised state of emergency was declared yesterday for some Central Hawke’s Bay coastal communities as a precaution. This meant some areas were evacuated due to the forecast of extremely large swell and potential coastal erosion. Parts of Kairakau, Blackhead and Pourerere were evacuated by 5pm yesterday.
Under mandatory evacuation, you may not return until cleared to do so by Civil Defence.

The list of evacuated areas is here https://www.chbdc.govt.nz/home/emergency-management-cyclone-vaianu/?stage=Stage

Please don’t drive today if you don’t have to.
If you notice issues like trees down, our team is on call 24/7 06 857 8060.
If at any time, you’re in immediate danger, to your property or life, dial 111.

We know this is triggering for a lot of people who went through Cyclone Gabrielle. If you need to talk to someone, here are some numbers
Need to Talk? Call or text 1737 (24/7)
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (7am - midnight) or free text 4357 (HELP).

11/04/2026

LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR COASTAL AREAS OF CHB!!!

⚠️🚨 LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED – COASTAL AREAS OF CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY, HASTINGS, AND NAPIER🚨 ⚠️

12:30pm SATURDAY 11.04.26

A local State of Emergency has been declared in Hawke’s Bay, specifically for coastal areas of Central Hawke’s Bay, Hastings, and Napier.

This declaration does NOT include the Wairoa District.

This will be in place for an initial period of seven days.

The emergency declaration was signed by Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (HBCDEM) and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chair Sophie Siers at 11.56am today.

The declaration gives Civil Defence Emergency Management controllers special emergency powers to respond to the impacts of Cyclone Vaianu. These powers include evacuating premises and places, which will start in targeted beachfront areas early this afternoon.

HBCDEM group controller Shane Briggs says it is critical residents heed police and Civil Defence instructions and messages.

“The most important thing is that everyone stays safe. For those outside of the evacuation areas, please make decisions based on the risk at your home. Self-evacuate if you feel at all unsafe. For those staying at home during the cyclone, stay off the roads and, as always, if there is a risk to life call 111 immediately,” Shane Briggs said.

The councils for each of the impacted coastal areas, supported by HBCDEM and Police, will coordinate the evacuations. They will be releasing public information following this declaration notice.

For the latest cyclone information, follow the HBCDEM website and page. For evacuation information follow your local council’s channels.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council Napier City Council - Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri Hastings District Council - Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga Central Hawke's Bay District Council

05/04/2026

One of the saddest, and yet, most valuable lessons learned.. Today we remember SSO Derek Lovell, lost while serving his community, our thoughts are with his family, and the firefighters who were injured and who lost a great Leader, colleague, and friend! 🤍👩‍🚒🚒

April 5 2008, 16:04:38, Saturday, Hamilton Station two pumps responded to privately monitored smoke alarm activation, Icepak Coolstores, Koppins Road, Tamahere, outside the Fire District. On Hamilton 412 were Senior Station Officer [SSO] Derek Lovell, Firefighters Merv Neil, Alvan Walker and Brian Halford, on Hamilton 411 were Station Officer Dennis Wells, Firefighters Cameron Grylls, David Beanland and Adrian Brown. Building of one and two floors, about 4,000 square metres, polystyrene panels. At 16:14:00 both appliances arrived, Hamilton 411 transmitted a K77, crew forced entry, located a leaking refrigerant pipe joint, wearing BA, were intent to tighten joint At 16:30:00 a massive explosion then fire, knocked most of the crews down, some were trapped under debris, at 16:30:29 transmit second alarm, major explosion, 16:31:52 third alarm, 16:34:15 injuries to crew, 16:56:16 make tankers six, at 17:11:54 a fifth alarm. Many people, locals, nearby wedding party and a school fundraiser, included Doctors, Nurses and trained medical staff raced to give first aid. About midnight SSO Derek Lovell [49, ex Auckland FB] died in Waikato Hospital. Firefighter Merv Neil received burns to 71 percent of his body, all others hospitalised. Unbeknown to crews, Icepak were using highly flammable propane based refrigerant "Hychill Minus 50" in its systems. Unidentified ignition source, probably electric, ignited the gas mix. That very large coolstore and other smaller burnt to ground. Only limited static water on site, Brigade protected nearby large building protected by water curtains, very long tanker shuttle, suppression operations went over a week. Hamilton 441, 2005 Scania P94DB4X2NA 300, Hale, pump appliance, registration DPQ 768, destroyed. Over forty appliances attended throughout incident. Chief Fire Officer Gary Talbot, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Martin Berryman, Assistant Regional Commander Roy Breeze. Company went bankrupt. Loss exceeded $25 million.

04/04/2026

‼️Don’t forget to check your smoke alarms‼️

1. Check your smoke alarms are working by pressing the button. The end of a broom handle is a great help! 🧹

2. While you’re there give them a little dust, a minute of maintenance could save lives!

3. Check in on elderly whānau or neighbours. Fifty percent of avoidable deaths in house fires are people over the age of 60. This is something we can change.

It's not rocket science, do it today 🚀

30/03/2026

Another great night training with our B Type, and then our ground monitor, a great time for our recruits to learn how the ground monitor works.

24/03/2026

The different colours of firefighting, what an epic shot!!! 🤩🤩🤩

09/03/2026

Combined brigade training, very grateful to Otane Volunteer Fire Brigade for inviting us to join their training at the Otane Aerodrome to cover aircraft safety, what to do in the event of and aircraft incident, and also review their fuel systems for how we would respond if there were a fire; hugely valuable learning for all firefighters!!! And to make my day, pink aircraft, my kind of aircraft!!! 😜👩‍🚒🚒

07/03/2026

International Women’s Day, we would like to introduce you to the amazing Women who turn out for our brigade - from the young girls they were, to rising thru the ranks from Recruit Firefighter, Firefighter, Operational Support, Qualified Firefighter, Senior Firefighter, Station Officer, Deputy Chief Fire Officer - ordinary amazing women doing an extraordinary job!!! 🤩👩‍🚒🚒😎

27/01/2026

We have now officially moved to an open fire season, an open fire season means open air fires can be lit without a permit as long as people use common sense and follow fire safety guidelines, which can be found on www.checkitsalright.nz.

Now is also a good time to ensure your property is prepared in the event of fire. Cut your grass, keep it short, and check your driveway is clear to allow fire trucks access if necessary

Keep burn piles small. Don’t light more than one at a time and have sufficient means to fully extinguish any burn offs.

For fire safety advice and more information on how to prepare your property head to www.checkitsalright.nz