NZ Civil Defence

24/06/2026

Kia ora folks,

It's looking a bit cold and blustery out there - this is your regular reminder to stay up to date with Metservice's warnings and your local Civil Defence Group. Check out how to prepare for storms at https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/storms

Remember to secure outdoor items, take extra care on the roads, and never drive, walk or swim through floodwaters. If you encounter rising floodwaters, don’t wait for an alert - get to higher ground immediately.

Stay safe folks!

🌩️ Severe Thunderstorms Detected 🌩️

At 01:52 pm, MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Waiheke Island and Outer Hauraki Gulf. These thunderstorms are moving towards the south-southeast and are expected to be near Kawakawa Bay, Waiheke Island, Firth of Thames, Oneroa Point, the Hunua Ranges, and Ponui Island at 02:22 pm, and near Kaiaua, Maramarua, Kawakawa Bay, Firth of Thames, Miranda, Waitakaruru, Oneroa Point, the Hunua Ranges, and Ponui Island at 02:52 pm.

These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain 🌧️ and damaging wind gusts 💨.

For more information on warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

19/06/2026

Kia ora folks, we’re bracing for some wet and windy weather for parts of the South Island and lower North Island.
Remember to secure outdoor items, take extra care on the roads, and never drive, walk or swim through floodwaters.
If you encounter rising floodwaters, don’t wait for an alert - get to higher ground immediately.
Stay up to date with MetService and your local Civil Defence Group, and check out how to prepare for storms at https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/storms
Stay safe folks!

🟧🟨Severe Weather Warnings and Watches for Heavy Rain
and Severe Northwesterly Gales for southern and central Aotearoa New Zealand have been updated. 🌧️🍃

Mostly valid for today Saturday, but some into Sunday.

Impacts: ‼️
Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips.
Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Actions to take: ⏩️
Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds.

All the details here
www.metservice.com/warnings/home

19/06/2026

See active Emergency Mobile Alerts at GetReady.govt.nz/ema-map.

Emergency Mobile Alerts are broadcast from targeted cell towers to all mobile devices. You need cell service to get an Alert.

But now, you can also view Emergency Mobile Alerts anywhere in New Zealand online with our new map.

Emergency Mobile Alert does not replace other alerting systems or the need to take action after natural warnings. This map shows active Emergency Mobile Alerts. It does not show things like evacuation areas or weather warnings.

15/06/2026

Kia ora, everyone - thank you for being part of our successful test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system on Sunday.

➡️ If you haven't already, let us know if you received the test and give feedback here: https://www.research.net/r/EMA-feedback

13/06/2026

⚠️ Our annual test of the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system is happening TONIGHT between 6pm-7pm to all capable phones and other SIM-connected devices ⚠️

Last year, Seven Sharp went behind the scenes to show you what we do to send out a test message, why we do it, and how EMAs work.

Remember:
❗ If you have a hidden phone for your personal safety, or the sound of the alert affects your physical or mental health in any way, turn off your devices during this time, or put them in flight mode.

👉📱 Press the volume button on the side of your phone to mute the noise and leave the message up.

🔍 For more information, visit getready.govt.nz/ema

13/06/2026

⚠️ Our annual test of the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system is happening TOMORROW between 6pm-7pm to all capable phones and other SIM-connected devices ⚠️

Remember:
❗ If you have a hidden phone for your personal safety, or the sound of the alert affects your physical or mental health in any way, turn off your devices during this time, or put them in flight mode.

👉📱 Press the volume button on the side of your phone to mute the noise and leave the message up.

🔍 For more information, visit getready.govt.nz/ema

12/06/2026

On Sunday between 6-7pm, we’re testing the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system to make sure it’s working well nationwide.

We know the alert can sound loud or jarring, but what makes EMAs effective during an emergency is that they don’t rely on sound alone. They utilise a phone’s vibrate function to get your attention and deliver a text message with clear instructions to read.

It’s the only system that can utilise touch, sound and visuals to communicate with somebody during an emergency – something that’s crucial for New Zealand’s deaf community, and other communities that can’t always rely on a single method of communication during an emergency.

That’s why this Sunday’s test is so important – it’s the most accessible tool we have during an emergency to reach as many people as possible, in ways that work for them.

For more information about how the EMA system works, visit getready.govt.nz/ema

11/06/2026

❓WHO CAN SEND AN EMA ALERT, AND WHEN?❓

The test of the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system is happening on Sunday, June 14, between 6-7pm. One of the biggest questions we get asked is who is allowed to send EMAs, and decide when they're sent.

There is a very strict set of criteria that determines when an EMA can be sent. Authorised agencies will only send alerts when there is a serious threat to life, health or property, or for test purposes - like this Sunday's test.

The only agencies authorised to issue EMAs are New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Ministry of Health, Ministry for Primary Industries, National Emergency Management Agency, and Local Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups.

There are some emergencies that can reach you faster than an EMA can, such as an earthquake, landslide, or local-source tsunami. EMAs are an extra channel to help keep you safe and they do not replace other alerting systems or the need to take action after natural warnings. That's why it's important to learn the natural warning signs of an emergency, and to take immediate action if you feel unsafe.

For more information about the natural warning signs to look out for during an emergency, visit: getready.govt.nz/danger-sense
For more information about the upcoming Emergency Mobile Alert test, visit getready.govt.nz/ema

10/06/2026

🤷 OK, we get it. This year's Emergency Mobile Alert test is happening this Sunday between 6 and (approximately) 6:59pm.

09/06/2026

Wellington City Council have terminated the state of local emergency for southern and eastern wards. Evacuated residents along the South Coast can return to their homes this evening.

Follow Wellington Region Emergency Management Office for up-to-date information. Heavy Swell Warnings remain in place overnight, so stay safe out there and don't take unnecessary risks by going down to the beach.

Visit www.metservice.com for weather watches and warnings.

HEAVY SWELL UPDATE | Tuesday 5.30pm

STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY LIFTED 💛

Wellington City Council have terminated the local state of emergency for southern and eastern wards.

🏠Residents are now safe to return home.

If you're travelling through coastal areas this evening, take care as surface debris may remain on roads. Large swells continue to be active and waves can reach roads and cross paths without warning.

👉 Stay well back from the coastline – large waves can arrive without warning.
👉 Avoid walking along beaches until waves have calmed.
👉 Expect possible road and public transport disruptions.

If you don't need to travel through coastal areas today, please consider delaying your journey until tomorrow.

Check road conditions before you making the trip home, and avoid stopping near the shoreline to watch waves.
Get the latest on any further warnings on Wellington City Council's page facebook.com/wellingtoncitycouncil or visit wellington.govt.nz/swell-warning