Weather event previous updates

We are aware of a wastewater overflow at Dundas St, Whitianga, overnight which has flowed into the Marina area.

Please do not enter the water in this area. Do not swim, fish or collect shellfish either.

Our teams are working to clear the overflow and investigate the root cause.

Update - 4.45pm Monday 26 January

Highways to reopen 

Our Council and NZTA crews have been working hard to get our state highways reopened. It’s a big job and they are working hard to get these open. Keep up to date with the latest updates on the NZTA website. 

Please note that traffic management and speed restrictions are still in place across our roading network. Please account for delays and drive with caution and patience.  

Above: SH25 at Kuaotunu 

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Waters update 

Tairua 

We’ve reinstated the power to one of the wastewater pump stations that was damaged by a small slip. 

Dundas St, Whitianga 

This street remains partly closed while our teams work to repair wastewater issue at a manhole. We hope to have a clearer idea tomorrow of the time required to complete the repair and reinstate full access to the road. 

Wastewater Treatment Ponds 

Our plants are continuing to recover from being inundated with rainwater. Although we are no longer seeing overflow, it will take several days before operations return to normal. Please avoid any swimming, fishing or collecting of shellfish in our estuaries and harbour areas during this time. 

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Cleaning up after severe weather 

The Insurance Council of New Zealand have developed guidance for people whose property has been damaged by the January 2026 Severe Weather Event. If this is you, read more here. 

Floodwater may contain sewage and other dangerous materials which can make your home unhealthy. You’ll need to clean, disinfect, and dry your house and everything in it. Take out everything that is wet and that can be moved. Throw away anything that can’t be cleaned. 

Protect yourself by wearing: 

Find out more about what to do after a flood here. 

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Don’t worry, support is here 

Recovering from an emergency can be tough and you don’t have to go through it alone.  

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 information on these services can be found here. 

Look after yourself, your whānau, and your neighbours. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need to talk, please reach out. It’s absolutely okay to ask for help. We've got you. 

**

Tell us of any changes to your property 

With all of the impacts from the storm on our peninsula, we’re encouraging everyone to keep an eye out for land instability - things to watch out for here can be found here. 

These signs don’t necessarily mean there’s an issue, but please report them through the Request For Service (RFS) system so our Council can follow up. Our team, including GIS specialists and geotechnical engineers, is actively reviewing reports to support our community. Your observations play an important role in this work and are always appreciated. 

More information on how to fill out an RFS can be found on this website under the 'contact us' tab, or here. 

**

Update - 9am Monday 26 January

Roading update

There are no changes to our local roading network this morning. All roads are currently open and following roads are open to residents and emergency services only:

• Kennedy Bay Road
• Port Jackson Road
• Port Charles
• Waikawau Bech Road
• Tuateawa Road
• Mangatu Road
• Stoney Bay Road
• Carey Road
• Fletcher Bay Road
• Blackjack Road
• Matapaua Bay Road
• Pumpkin Hill Road
• Sailors Grave Road
• Opoutere Road

Our teams are still working hard to clear affected roads and ensure they’re safe again to fully open but this may take some time. Thank you for your patience.

Dundas Street, Whitianga – wastewater overflow

Due to a wastewater overflow we have closed part of Dundas St, Whitianga, while we work on fixing the issue.

The overflow itself has stopped, with clean up underway. A temporary pump-over system has been installed while we work to establish the cause of the overflow. For this reason, the partial road closure will likely be in place for several days. Access to Dundas St is still available.

Please note there is no fishing, swimming or collecting of shellfish in the area around Dundas St until further notice.

Tairua – Paku Hill

We are continuing to monitor water flows and have been checking red and yellow stickered properties, with no residents inside, for any excessive water use due to internal damage to pipes.

A plan for permanent repairs will also be worked on as part of our recovery efforts.

Update - 2:00pm Saturday 24 January

Please avoid crossing or visiting the slip site at Kūaotunu. It has the potential for more slippage and you'd be putting yourself and others at risk, and pulling emergency services away from other important work they're doing.

Update - 9:15am Saturday 24 January

Water services:

• Level 5 Total Watering Ban restrictions are still in place at Tairua and Matarangi to allow reservoir levels to rebuild after the storm affected the treatment plants.
• Tairua Mount Paku water supply situation: A slip broke the water main and drained the reservoir. We are accessing the area above the slip site to install temporary piping. Strong safety protocols are in place with a full-time safety watch for further slips.

Potential sea water contamination

After heavy rainfall, unknown debris and wastewater may enter the ocean, so please avoid swimming during this time. The safest option is to wait at least three days before returning to the sea. For estuaries, we recommend waiting up to seven days, or until TCDC issues an all‑clear notice following the completion of water‑quality testing.

Please avoid shellfish harvesting during this time across the entire district.

In addition, there has been a wastewater discharge from the wastewater treatment plant into the Ngarahutunoa Stream at Whitianga. Because this water is contaminated, people should not swim at the beach or in surrounding areas until further notice.

Check out the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website, which provides up‑to‑date water quality results from more than 1,000 sites across New Zealand.

Update - 3.30pm Friday 23 January

State Highway network

Andy Oakley, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager for Waikato, says teams are managing dozens of slips on the Coromandel, including two major unstable areas on SH25 at Kūaotunu and between Whiritoa and Whangamata.   

“These two slips are large and unstable. Safety for road users and our crews is our priority, which means work will pause at times until assessments confirm the slopes have settled," says Mr Oakley.

"As we head into the long weekend, we strongly encourage people to follow the advice of Civil Defence and local councils, only travel if necessary and check NZTA’s Journey Planner before they get on the roads."

If you must travel, slow down, drive to the conditions and allow extra time. 

Read their latest news here

Local roading network

Motuhoa Road remains closed: A safety check is currently in place before clearing can begin.

2 roads are now open
• Stoney Bay Road
• Fletcher Bay Road

Water restrictions

Water restrictions remain in place for Tairua and Matarangi

• Matarangi – slowly recovering reservoir levels
• Tairua – broken water main has drained Paku Hill reservoir
  We are trying to extend water supply from base of Paku Hill by adjusting valving. We will do this section by section. We are also awaiting access to the slip site to start looking at how we could do temporary piping installation.
• Thames Wastewater Treatment Plant's pond is still very high. We are monitoring levels and discharges.
• Wastewater Pump Station (WWPS44724) at 12 Oceana Heights, Tairua
• The slip has damaged an electrical cabinet and pushed it 5m down track.
  As there is no water at Paku Hill, this is not an issue right now. We will focus on cleaning up the slip to allow access to assess the damage.
  An assessment is required for a slip on private land.

Update - 12.20pm Friday 23 January

Update on Coromandel state highway network

The following roads are still closed on State Highway 25 and State Highway 2:

The following sections of State Highway are still CLOSED:  

• SH2 Paeroa to Waihi  
• SH25 Coromandel Town to Whitianga
• SH25 Whangamata to Whiritoa  
• SH25 Hikuai to Whangamata  

The following sections are open with SPEED RESTRICTIONS in place:  

• SH25 Hikuai to Tairua
• SH25 Whitianga to Tairua

The following sections have REOPENED:

• SH25 Whiritoa to Waihi  
• SH25A Kopu to Hikuai
• SH26 Te Aroha Bridge to Paeroa

Priorities for contractors today are regaining access in and out of Whangamata via SH25 to Hikuai,and re-opening the SH2 Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihi. These are expected to open by 7pm tonight. Another update will be provided later today.

Update - 10.21am Friday 23 January

Tairua water tanker

A water tanker is available for residents to fill bottles at the Mt Paku reserve on Paku Drive.

Update - 9.27am Friday 23 January

Tairua - please conserve water

Water supply has been restored across the district, with the exception of much of Mt Paku in Tairua.

A supply pipe to the reservoir on Mt Paku has been cut by a significant slip, and the outgoing pipe to supply properties has been cut in the same location.

Access to the site is currently impossible because of the slip, but this is being worked on. Supply to at least 100 properties is affected by this rupture. 

Water supply to limited parts of Mt Paku is being restored gradually, with low pressure expected. 

We're asking the entire Tairua community to conserve water while repairs in the Mt Paku area are carried out.

Similarly, we're asking residents of Matarangi to conserve water while the reservoir level rebuilds. The treatment plant was affected by heavily sedimented water at the Opitonui water intake and couldn't operate for a period.

Potential sea water contamination

After heavy rainfall, unknown debris and wastewater may enter the ocean, so please avoid swimming during this time. The safest option is to wait at least three days before returning to the sea. For estuaries, we recommend waiting up to seven days, or until TCDC issues an all‑clear notice following the completion of water‑quality testing.

Please avoid shellfish harvesting during this time across the entire district.

In addition, there has been a wastewater discharge from the wastewater treatment plant into the Ngarahutunoa Stream at Whitianga. Because this water is contaminated, people should not swim at the beach or in surrounding areas until further notice.

Check out the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website, which provides up‑to‑date water quality results from more than 1,000 sites across New Zealand.

**

Kerbside collections for Friday 23 January

• Pāuanui and Tairua
• Kūaotunu

Please note these collections will be subject to road access continuing to be passable.

Collections cancelled for this week

• Matarangi
• Coromandel Rural North
• Opito
• Otama

Due to road closures and/or restricted access due to poor roading conditions, these areas will not have their services from Wednesday 21 January rescheduled.  Their next scheduled service will be on Wednesday 28 January (subject to access)

Update - 8.40am Friday 23 January

Refuse and recycling transfer stations

All Thames-Coromandel refuse and recycling transfer stations are open

Update - 8am Friday 23 January 

Roads - open and closed

3 roads remain closed

• Stoney Bay Road
• Fletcher Bay Road
• Motuhoa Road

13 roads are open but with limited access for emergency services only

• Waikawau Bech Road -Waikawau Beach Road
• Matapaua Bay Road
• Carey Road
• Tuateawa Road - Near Little Bay
• Wentworth Valley Road - at ford
• Kennedy Bay Road - Waikawau Beach Road / Driving Creek intersection
• Mangatu Road - Waikawau Beach Road / Driving Creek intersection
• Port Charles Road - Start of Port Charles Road
• Port Jackson Road
• The 309 Road - Coro end of the 309 Road
• Pumpkin Hill Road
• Sailors Grave Road
• Opoutere Road - Start of Opoutere Road
• Kennedy Bay road – at Driving Creek

The following 9 roads have been fully opened

• Hot Water Beach Road
• Kauaeranga Valley Road
• Colville Road
• Blackjack Road
• Purangi Road
• Hikuai Settlement Road
• Waterways Parade
• Gallagaher Drive
• Otamakite Road

Our teams are out again today inspecting and we will continue to update here throughout the day as we continue to clear, inspect and assess any further damages.

**

Water restrictions

• Water restrictions remain in place at Tairua and Matarangi. Work has started to recover reservoir levels, Matarangi's remains very low for now.

Update - 6:45pm Thursday 22 January

Kia ora Thames-Coromandel community.

This brings to an end our rolling updates on the response to the storm for the day.

Much progress has been made on opening up the Thames-Coromandel District roading network and repairing damage to water services operations, but much remains to do in the coming days and weeks.

It’s been another hugely busy day for emergency services, Council staff working on our emergency response and our contractors. They’ve been working to clear slips, assess damage to roads and property, make sure affected communities have essential supplies. We’re still getting to grips with the extent of the damage, and it is considerable.

We’re still in response mode to the storm, and it will take some time before everything resumes as normal. Please be patient as you’re out and about, check the TCDC website and Facebook page for updates on roads, water services and other council operations, check on your neighbours and follow the instructions from traffic management staff and road signs.

Update - 6.35pm Thursday 22 January

Kerbside collections for Friday 23 January

• Pāuanui and Tairua
• Kūaotunu

Residents in these areas please put your bins out for collection by 7.30am tomorrow Friday 23 January.   Please note these collections will be subject to road access continuing to be passable, and no changes overnight.

Collections cancelled for this week

• Matarangi
• Coromandel Rural North
• Opito
• Otama

Due to road closures and/or restricted access due to poor roading conditions, these areas will not have their services from Wednesday 21 January rescheduled.  Their next scheduled service will be on Wednesday 28 January (subject to access)

**

Update - 4pm Thursday 22 January

Update - 3pm Thursday 22 January

Help available in Tairua

Residents displaced from Mt Paku in Tairua who need a place to go can go to our Community-Led Centre at Tairua Library at 2 Manaia Road. Or email welfare@cdthames.org.nz.

**

Roads reopened

The following roads have been opened since the last update:

• Tuateawa Rd – accessible via Colville Rd and Port Charles Rd only
• Waikawau Beach Rd – Open only via Colville Rd and Port Charles Rd
• Sailors Grave Rd – Open only for residents and emergency services
• Hot Water Beach Rd – Open to 4WD vehicles only. Multiple hazards going into Hahei and Cooks beach. Only accessible to residents and emergency services. Surface flooding at intersection with SH25

PLEASE NOTE: all roads that are now open after being previously closed have multiple unmarked hazards throughout the lengths. These roads are only open to residents and emergency services.

The below 9 roads remain closed:

• Port Jackson Road
• Carey Road-Slip
• Matapaua Bay Rd
• The 309 Road - Outside Peninsula Quarry (Whitianga Side)
• Otamakite Road
• Kauaeranga Valley Road - First Ford
• Opoutere Road - Start of Opoutere Road
• Wentworth Valley Road - Ford
• Port Charles Road Slip - Closed after intersection with Waikawau Beach Rd

Update - 2:00pm Thursday 22 January

Campgrounds - Northern Coromandel

Department of Conservation campgrounds in northern Coromandel have been closed.

The department will be working with campers who booked to arrange refunds. It will also be inspecting camping sites once it is safe to do so.

Already, there are reports of damage to key infrastructure that need attention.

The department asks people to avoid any unnecessary travel throughout the peninsula while work to repair sites and roads is being carried out.

Roading network update

Update - 1:25pm Thursday 22 January

Tairua Water Supply

• Tairua is under a Level 5 Total Watering Ban water restriction because the power supply for the main water intakes has been damaged by fallen trees. Reservoir levels have fallen as a result. Please conserve water.
• Every effort is being made to clear vehicle access to Tairua so water services can be restored. In the meantime, water bottles can be filled with clean water at Tairua Fishing Club at 12 The Marina. Contact Cie on 021 448 168 if you need further information.
• Also, under the Fishing Club, the Paradise Gym have opened their doors for the day to anyone who wants access to filtered water for water bottles, power points for charging devices and hot showers. 

Update - 1:20pm Thursday 22 January

What to do if your property has been impacted by the storm

If your property and contents have been impacted by the storm please contact your insurance company in the first instance regarding making a claim for any repairs, damage, and disposal of storm related waste. 

For customers that do not have insurance, or perhaps have other questions regarding waste related questions please call our customer services team on 07 868 0200

We hope to reopen a few of refuse and recycling transfer station sites tomorrow and we’ll keep this page updated as soon as we know more on this.

Update - 1:15pm Thursday 22 January

Water contamination update

After heavy rainfall, unknown debris and wastewater may enter the ocean, so please avoid swimming during this time. The safest option is to wait at least three days before returning to the sea. For estuaries, we recommend waiting up to seven days, or until TCDC issues an all‑clear notice following the completion of water‑quality testing.

In addition, there has been a wastewater discharge from the wastewater treatment plant into the Ngarahutunoa Stream at Whitianga. Because this water is contaminated, people should not swim at the beach or in surrounding areas until further notice.

Check out the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website, which provides up‑to‑date water quality results from more than 1,000 sites across New Zealand.

Update - 8:45am Thursday 22 January

Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station (RTS) update

The following RTS are OPEN:

• Thames
• Whangamatā

The following RTS are CLOSED:

• Coromandel
• Matarangi
• Whitianga
• Tairua
• Pauanui

Thank you for your patience everyone and we'll let you know when they can reopen.

Update - 8:30am Thursday 22 January

Roading network update

Update - 7:50am Thursday 22 January

Kerbside Collection update

• Tairua – Roads to and from Tairua are impassable so collections won't take place today. We'll reschedule services as soon as access becomes available.
• Thames – your collections will take place as usual.

Update - 7:40am Thursday 22 January

Roading network update

Our teams are currently confirming road closures. We have confirmed that the Tapu Coroglen is clear and remains our only link to the northeast section of our network.

We are monitoring 10 roads with single-lane closures:

• Port Jackson Road - Slip
• Colville Road - Slip
• Black jack Road - Slips
• Motuhoa Road - Slip
• Gallagher Drive - Tomo
• Fantail Terrace - Slip
• Oceana Heights - Slips / Mud slip
• Paku Drive - Pavement
• Maramarahi Road - Surface Flooding
• Davy Street Surface - Flooding 

Update - 7:30am Thursday 22 January

Paku Hill, Tairua – broken water main

At this time we are unable to travel to Tairua, but as soon as the road opens a tanker will be set up for residents. Thank you to residents for your patience and we'll continue to keep you updated.

Update - 12:34am Thursday 22 January

Paku Hill, Tairua – broken water main

Just before midnight on Wednesday 21 January, a water main broke between the Paku Drive booster pump and the reservoir. This resulted in the rapid draining of the reservoir.

Due to the weather, it has not been safe to locate and repair the break overnight. Crews will assess and begin repairs in the morning once conditions allow.

The water supply was quickly isolated at the booster pump, and this issue has not affected water supply to other areas of Tairua.

To provide water for affected residents, we are arranging for a water tanker to be located on Paku Drive. The exact location will be confirmed later this morning, as we need to assess safe access due to several slips on Paku Hill roads.

Thank you to residents for your patience and understanding as we work to restore the water supply.

Update - 8pm Wednesday 21 January

Whitianga Wastewater Treatment Plant - discharge of partially treated effluent

Due to the intensity of the rainfall in the Whitianga area, the inflow volume to the Whitianga Wastewater Treatment Plant has exceeded the capacity of plant, and the emergency pond has reached full capacity.

We have had to initiate an emergency procedure to discharge partially treated effluent to Ngarahutunoa stream and to Eucalyptus irrigation field.

The high inflow volume and elevated pond level are the result of the severe rainfall affecting the district, and a precautionary state of emergency was declared for the Coromandel at midday today.

People should not swim, fish or collect shellfish from the Harbour in the vicinity of the Ngarahutunoa Stream till further notice.

Update - 7.50pm Wednesday 21 January

There are now reports of flooding across SH25 at Manaia, south of Coromandel Town.

Please avoid any unnecessary travel. We still have more rain on the way. If you need any help or assistance, please read the update below.

Update - 6:45pm Wednesday 21 January

Overnight safety message

We are now asking you to please stay off the roads.

If you anticipate you may be at risk due to rising water levels, then now is the time to evacuate to friends or family who are on higher ground.

Whitianga residents: a Civil Defence Centre (CDC) will open at Crossroads Church (2 Joan Gaskell Drive, Whitianga) from 8pm to provide emergency accommodation and a place to seek help during the event. The centre will be staffed by a skeleton crew to assess demand. If it is safe to do so, we encourage people to stay at home. If you need to evacuate, please bring your go-bag and a sleeping bag. If there is no demand, the centre may close later in the evening. Contact details will be posted at the entrance for anyone who needs accommodation after 10pm.

We do not anticipate needing to open other CDC's throughout the district.

If you need urgent emergency assistance overnight because of an immediate threat to life or property, call 111.

For other Council assistance please contact our 24/7 Customer Services team on 07 868 0200.

Large slip on SH25

There is a large slip on SH25 between Coroglen and Whenuakite. This is not expected to be cleared until late on Thursday. Please avoid this route. More information is available via Waka Kotahi.

We will continue to provide updates as conditions change.

Update - 5.30pm Wednesday 21 January

Tairua, you might have guessed it but there will no kerbside collection in your area tomorrow. Roads to and from Tairua are impassable. Please do not put out your bins.

Rescheduling of any services will be dependent on road access and resource availability.

Thames, at this stage your kerbside collection will still take place.

The reopening of all seven refuse and recycling transfer sites will be determined tomorrow morning. 

Update - 3.44pm Wednesday 21 January

Road closures

• Kennedy Bay Road – Near Mangatu Road / School RP
• Blackjack Road, closed at Otama Beach (Flooding) and SH25 Intersection
• Hot Water Beach Road – Road Closure set up at the SH on Hot Water Beach Road and again at Purangi Road/Hot Water Beach Intersection (Flooding)
• Colville Road- south of Colville Store
• Waikawau Bech Road - Waikawau Beach Road
• Kaimarama Road - Start of road
• Hikuai Settlement Road
• Waterways Parade - roundabout entering Pauanui
• Purangi Road
• Opoutere Road - Start of Opoutere Road
• The 309 Road - Outside Peninsula Quarry - RP 19840 (Whitianga Side)
• Wentworth Valley Road

2 roads are flooding but passable with 4wd

• Pepe Road - water contaminated.
• Paku Road - House 146 - Road surface to lift approximately 250mm

Update 3.17pm, Wednesday 21 January

Refuse and recycling transfer stations at Whangamatā and Thames are now closed. This means all seven of our district’s transfer stations are closed for the rest of today.

We will assess the condition of each site tomorrow and provide an update on their availability then.

Update 2.30pm, Wednesday 21 January

Sandbags are available for Thames-Coromandel residents affected by flooding from this weather event.

Anyone concerned about their property, especially those in low-lying areas or near waterways who haven’t already evacuated, can pick up sandbags from the following locations:

Thames

• Sand available at - Shoppers Car Park, Queen St
• Bags available at TCDC office, Mackay St

Whangamatā

• Sandbags available at - Whangamatā Fire Station, Cnr Port and Oceans Rds (but you will need to fill these yourself)
• Sand is being delivered to Old Caravan Dump Site, near Skatepark.

Coromandel Town

• Sandbags available at James Drainage, 1020 Tiki Rd
• Please ensure you phone or text James on  021 726 850 before picking up. People will need to have their own spade and/or bucket.

Whitianga

• Sandbags available at old fire station, 20 Monk St

However, we urge you to please avoid travel unless it is necessary and safe to do so.

Please take care if travelling.

Update 2:01 Wednesday 21 January

Warning to stay out of flood waters

• Throughout the district our wastewater pump stations are being flooded and are overflowing.
• Please treat all surface water as contaminated and stay out of flooded areas.

Water tanker available in Puriri

• Our Matatoki, Puriri and Omahu water treatment plants may need to shut down temporarily to clean filters due to high sediment loads in abstraction streams and rivers
• We’re providing a water tanker in Puriri, outside the Puriri Hotel, for the Thames Valley area as water supply is likely to be affected. 

Road closures

• Kennedy Bay Road – Near Mangatu Road / School RP
• Blackjack Road, closed at Otama Beach – RP 3500 (Flooding)
• Hot Water Beach Road – Road Closure set up at the SH on Hot Water Beach Road and again at Purangi Road/Hot Water Beach Intersection (Flooding)
• Colville Road- south of Colville Store
• Waikawau Bech Road - Waikawau Beach Road
• Kaimarama Road - Start of road
• Hikuai Settlement Road
• Waterways Parade - roundabout entering Pauanui
• Purangi Road
• Opoutere Road - Start of Opoutere Road
• The 309 Road - Outside Peninsula Quarry - RP 19840 (Whitianga Side)

2 roads are flooding but passable with 4wd

• Pepe Road - water contaminated.
• Wentworth Valley Road

Update 12pm, Wednesday 21 January

Update 11.10am Wednesday 21 January

The Coromandel Town office will be closed from 12.30pm today. Our Customer Services team is still here to help on 07 868 0200 or at customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz. 

For safety reasons due to the weather, our refuse and recycling transfer stations at Matarangi, Whitianga, Tairua and Pāuanui will also close today. Transfer stations at Thames and Whangamatā remain open.

Update 10.27am Wednesday 21 January

Coromandel Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station will be closed today. Please hold off on using this facility for now and avoid any kind of travel, if possible. We will let you know when we are able to open this again.

Update - 9:47 Wednesday 21 January

Heavy Rain Warning – upgraded to Red

MetService has upgraded the Heavy Rain Warning from Orange to Red for our district.

This is a serious situation. There is a real threat to life from rapidly rising rivers, significant flooding and slips. Travel will be disrupted, some roads may become impassable, and communities could be isolated.

The Coromandel Peninsula is experiencing significant rainfall, with more rain expected today. Rivers and creeks are rising rapidly.

From 9am Wednesday 21 January to 3am Thursday 22 January, a further 200-250mm of rain is forecast on top of what has already fallen, particularly about higher ground. Intense downpours this afternoon could reach 25-40mm per hour.

What you need to do now:

• Avoid all non-essential travel
• Do not enter floodwater – on foot or in vehicles
• If you are in a low-lying area, move to higher ground immediately
• Act early: if you see water rising, self-evacuate immediately
• Be prepared for power and communications outages

Service updates:

For safety reasons, we have called back our kerbside collection teams in the Whangapoua and Matarangi areas. If your bin has not been emptied already today, it will not be collected. Please bring your bin back in. We plan to resume collection on Friday, pending the condition of the roading network. Thank you for your understanding.

New road closures:
Kennedy Bay Road near Mangatu Road is closed.

Community response
The Cooks Beach Community Response Group has been activated and is operating from the Cooks Beach Fire Station. The group is working alongside the Cooks Beach Campground to support the evacuation of approximately 35–40 campers.

We ask campground owners to stay alert and proactively manage hazards at their sites.

Please take this warning seriously and act now to keep yourself and others safe.

Update - 9:02am Wednesday 21 January

We’ve had more than 180mm of rain in the past 24 hours, resulting in flooding, road closures and changes to today's kerbside collection.

More heavy rain is forecast today and tonight. If possible, don’t travel. If you need to, please avoid flood waters.

Stay up to date on roading updates throughout the day via tcdc.govt.nz/roads.

The weather has also meant changes to some kerbside collections. Whitianga trucks cannot pass Wharekaho but will still service all bins in the northern area of Whitianga only (from Ohuka farm drive up to the bridge at Wharekaho). We have sourced other trucks to travel to Whangapoua and Matarangi but will only collect rubbish, glass and food today. Recycling (yellow lid bins) will not be collected today. Please bring your bin in. This will take place on Friday 23 January instead.

Kūaotunu, Otama and Opito will not be serviced today at all. Please bring in all bins. This will also be collected on Friday.

Trucks are unable to reach Coromandel rural north and this service will be provided at a later date. Please bring in all bins. 

Our teams are on alert and we will keep you updated throughout the day.

TCDC council roads:

• Hot Water Beach Road: closed due to flooding at the Purangi Road/Hot Water Beach Rd intersection.
• Blackjack Road: closed at Otama Beach due to flooding.
• State Highway 25: closed at Wharekaho just north of Whitianga and at Wade Road just south of Whitianga.

More local roading information is available here.

Update - 8:54am Wednesday 21 January

NZTA closed SH25 at Wharekaho just north of Whitianga earlier this morning. Details can be found here. Check our Road Conditions page for details on council roads affected by the weather.

Update - 5:00pm Tuesday 20 January

Mayor Peter Revell has an important message about the Orange Weather Warning currently affecting our district. Weather can turn on a dime, so it’s important we all stay prepared and stay safe. Watch his video for tips on planning ahead and protecting yourself, your whānau, and your property.

Watch it here.

Update - 9:30 am Tuesday 20 January