Our Road to Recovery after January storm

On 21-22 January 2026, a significant storm weather event hit the Thames-Coromandel district, causing widespread slips and damage. A State of Emergency was declared as homes were damaged by flooding and slips which also resulted in many roads being cut off, isolating parts of our community.

Our teams have since been working hard to transition from a ‘response’ operation, dealing with urgent and life-saving actions, into a ‘recovery’ phase. This means we’re now focused on helping our communities get back to normal as best they can – in the short, medium and long term.

Below is a summary of key milestones we've managed to achieve within the first three months:

• A Recovery Summary document has been created to offer an overview and insight into what actions our Council has taken and continues to take in response to the January storm event but restore, rebuild and empower more resilient communities.

• Our Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund was set up and reached more than $400,000 thanks to generous donors. A total of 244 applications were received and all funds have been distributed to families, individuals, community organisations, marae and businesses directly impacted by the storm.
  
  
• Land instability management progressed with 36 properties identified for geotechnical assessment. Fifteen geotechnical reports have been completed and shared with affected property owners.
  
  
• There were 97 placards issued. These consisted of 8 red, 43 yellow, and 46 white to identify immediate safety risks at a property and to tell people whether their home is safe to enter and/or stay in.
  
  
• Social support was set up, and 150 welfare assessments were completed. Support for affected residents remains ongoing.
  
  
• Roading recovery has stabilised and we are now waiting for funding approval from NZTA to progress planned works.
  
  
• Parks and reserves have seen significant cleanup and reinstatement. This includes silt removal, washout repairs, restored beach access, and installation of hazard signage, with remaining works dependent on contractor availability.
  
  
• Water services recovery continues at key sites, including monitoring and investigations at Onemana, access repairs at Cooks Beach and Matarangi, and planned repairs to reservoir access tracks across the district.
  
  
• All wharves and boat ramps have all been assessed. While most facilities are operational, the Kūaotunu boat ramp will require ongoing clearing from the adjacent slip and the Royal Billy Point (Pāuanui) floating pontoon is awaiting funding for replacement.

Below are key highlights of what we’ve managed to do within the first six weeks, while also carrying out our regular Council duties. Our road to recovery is long and we will continue working to restore our communities as best we can for some time. 

• We have met with the Prime Minister and a number of other ministers, including the Associate Minister for Emergency Management Hon. Chris Penk, who all visited the district shortly after the January storm. During these discussions, we have highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of weather events affecting the Coromandel, the vulnerability of our transport network, and the growing financial pressure on our ratepayers. Our conversations have focused on the need for a more strategic partnership between central and local government, especially given the limited redundancy of SH25 and SH25A and the national economic consequences of prolonged road closures.

• We have applied for and been successful in the Government doubling its standard contribution of $100,000 to the Mayoral Relief Fund. Over 80% of our clean up and recovery costs relate to roading, so this is where we are having the most conversations with the Government. We have lodged an initial application to NZ Transport Agency for $7.6 million. 

• We have helped most people evacuated during the January severe weather event return home, stay with friends or family, or head back to their usual residence if they had been staying in a holiday home. The Ministry of Social Development also helped two families with temporary accommodation through its Temporary Accommodation Service.

• We have distributed the first batch of money from our Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund to those worst-impacted by the storm. Applications to the fund closed on 6 March 2026 and our teams continue working through the 243 applications.
  
  
• Our teams also continue assessing and inspecting storm-damaged properties. As of 05 March 2026, 97 placards were issued for damaged properties. These consisted of 9 red placards issued, 44 yellow and 44 white.

Vaughan Payne has been appointed as our Council’s Recovery Lead, to finalise and lead the recovery programme at a senior level within our Council. Vaughan’s prior experience as a chief executive and in senior leadership positions at organisations including Department of Internal Affairs, Waikato Regional Council and Ōpōtiki District Council, as well as leading consultancies such as Boffa Miskell and Beca, means he is well placed for success in this role.

Our district’s recovery encompasses not just the physical rebuilding of damaged infrastructure such as roads, water services and parks and reserves, but takes in the physical and emotional wellbeing of our people. A significant aspect of Mr Payne’s role will be liaising with government ministers and officials to advocate for central government funding for a long-term roading resilience programme for the district.

Recovery from a civil defence emergency means the coordinated efforts and processes to bring about the immediate, medium-term and long-term holistic regeneration of all our communities following the emergency.

It requires the mobilisation of considerable Council resources, our contractors, partner agencies in government like Waikato Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and central government and the community.

Following the storm, our recovery so far means:

• Assessing and repairing infrastructure damage to roads, water services and parks and reserves
• Continuing to raise awareness of ongoing risks from further slips and potential seawater contamination from wastewater overflows
• Helping our communities navigate the systems and processes to get back to normal, such as the building placard system or how to dispose of flood-damaged goods
• Setting up our Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund
• Rates relief for properties issued a red placard

Social recovery in our communities is as important as rebuilding the infrastructure.

• Food banks are seeing heavy demand. Please consider donating to your local food bank if you can
• Check on your neighbours, especially the elderly and infirm

If you or someone you know in the Thames-Coromandel district needs help, here are the services available:

• Ministry of Social Development (MSD)  
• Rural Support Trust  
• Here to Help U  
• 1737 – Need to Talk?  
• Community & Iwi Providers  
• Thames-Coromandel District Council   

More info on these services: Need support after a Civil Defence emergency? We’re here to help. | TCDC

Red-placarded properties will automatically have a rates remission (in accordance with our Rates Remission Policy) applied for the balance of this rating year. Although this will not remove all rates it is hoped this will assist in alleviating some of the immediate financial burden.

Find out more here: Rapid building assessments – Placard placement | TCDC

Our Thames-Coromandel Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund is open for donations but closed on 6 March for applications.

Find out more

Find out more

Many of our roads the northern and eastern parts of the Coromandel were either flooded or subject to slips and there may be ongoing traffic managmenent and work crews busy. Please follow the instructions of traffic management personnel and any signage.

Updates on Council roads

Updates on State Highways (managed by NZTA Waka Kotahi)

Cory Wright Drive Stormwater Pond – Tairua

Work is scheduled to begin on Monday 23 February to remove sediment and debris from the Cory Wright Stormwater Pond. This work will include clearing the upstream and downstream stormwater channels/drains. Waikato Regional Council has been notified about these storm recovery works, which shouldn't take longer than five days.

If you've been directly affected by the recent severe weather event, help and support is available. It's normal to feel stressed or anxious right now.

Here are some ways you and your whānau can get help:

• Check out the Civil Defence website - you'll find information in multiple languages as well as NZSL, Braille and other alternate formats
• You can text or phone 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor.
• If you're okay, check on those around you - neighbours, friends, whānau. You would be surprised what a cuppa with a friend can do to help people through the day.

The following websites also have information and resources:

• Ministry of Social Development (MSD) 
• Rural Support Trust
• Here to Help U
•  The Get Ready website
• New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (a branch of MBIE that offers independent help with residential insurance claims resulting from natural disasters)

You can also visit our website to find out more about getting support after a Civil Defence emergency and follow our Facebook page and subscribe to our weekly wrap up for ongoing updates.