Our January 2026 Storm Recovery progress

12 March 2026

Just over a month ago, on 21 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 flooded and roads cut off due to many slips.

Over the past six weeks our teams have 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 are key highlights of what we’ve managed to do so far, 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 appointed storm recovery lead

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.

What does recovery mean?

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:

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

Ongoing risk of slips

Ongoing risk around the district

Our district experienced quite a few slips over the January storm. While many of these have been cleared and our roads are open, there is an ongoing risk of further slips in the weeks after heavy rain.

Here are some of the natural warning signs to look for during this period when they can occur more often:

Small slips, rock falls, and sinking land, at the bottom of slopes.
Sticking doors and window frames, which may mean the land is slowly moving under the building.
Gaps where window frames are not fitting properly.
Steps, decks, and verandas, moving or tilting away from the rest of the building.
New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces.
Tilting trees, retaining walls, or fences.

To learn more about what to do before and after a landslide, visit: getready.govt.nz/landslides

If you see these natural warning signs, please contact our Council (link to Contact Us web page) so that we can have the site assessed. If you think there’s risk of an imminent slip, call emergency services on 111.

Council staff are working with geotecnhical engineers to assess known sites and where needed, put up warning signs.

Rates relief for red-placarded properties

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

Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund

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

Find out more

Placards issued to damaged properties

Find out more

Roading status updates

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)

Stormwater works

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.

Where to go for help

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.