Advice

2026 Severe Weather Information Hub

Retail NZ is here to support you if you have been affected by the recent severe weather events. We are monitoring news from local councils across North Island, and posting relevant updates on this page as we get them.

ALERT (16 Feb): Metservice began issuing severe weather warnings and watches for much of the North Island and eastern parts of the South Island from February 13, 2026. Many of these are still in place and you can find the latest severe weather information here.

We strongly encourage business owners to check with your local councils for any critical or emergency services and updates. Here are some resources to help you with planning your business operations and keeping your teams informed.

Need help with your business tax in an adverse or emergency event? Read more here.

LAND

Landslides — Get Ready (NZ Civil Defence) — Emergency preparedness in New Zealand – Find out what to do before, during and after a landslide, including signs to look for a slide before it happens. If you notice signs of potential slips or other hazards in your community, report them to your local council at the earliest opportunity.

ROADING

Highway conditions | NZTA Journey Planner – Check NZTA’s live map at any time for updates on road closures, road works, and other important notices related to major roadways across Aotearoa.

EMERGENCIES

Our Natural Disasters Hub has a range of guidance to help you manage natural disasters and business interruptions, such as how to find up-to-date information on state of emergencies, how to prepare for and respond to natural disasters and how to support your staff.

Local Council Updates

*All updates below are as of 26 March 2026.

Council website and contact details

Website: https://www.wdc.govt.nz

Phone: 09 430 4200 (24-hour contact centre)

Storm and emergency issues: 0800 932 463

Online queries (non-urgent): Report a non-urgent issue or make an enquiry

Emergency response and declarations

  • A localised state of emergency remains in place for the Hikurangi-Coastal ward until 4:00pm Tuesday 3 February 2026.
  • Most roads are open although caution is recommended as some are down to one lane due to slips. People are encouraged to put off non-essential travel into the area. The safest and most accessible route for visitors to the Ōakura coast is via the northern access and SH11. There has been a major slip on Russell Road (Helena Bay Hill), with non-essential travel strongly discouraged. Initial estimates for time to clear is 8-12 weeks.

Building safety

  • The Hikurangi–Coastal Ward has been designated under the Building Act 2004 to manage ongoing risks from flood- and slip-damaged buildings.
  • This designation enables council to enter and assess buildings, apply red or yellow placards, direct evacuations, and require urgent works to reduce risks to occupants and the public.

Community support and financial assistance

  • Council established an Emergency Recovery Fund of approximately $130,000 to support individuals, families, marae, community organisations, and small businesses impacted by the January severe weather.
  • One-off grants of approximately $1,000–$2,000 are available, with applications opening from 2 February 2026.
  • Recovery Hubs will be operating at Ngaiotonga Marae, Tuparehuia Marae, Mōkau Marae, Otetao Marae, the Oākura Sports Complex and Whananaki Marae to support whānau affected by recent emergency events.

Key source links

https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Whats-new/News-and-notices/Designations-Building-20260123

https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Community/Civil-Defence/Latest-updates

https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Whats-new/News-and-notices/Emergency-fund-support-20260129


Updates

Council website and contact details

Website: https://www.tauranga.govt.nz

Phone: 07 577 7000

Email: [email protected]

Emergency response and operations

  • A State of Emergency is in place through 4 February 2026 following severe weather and fatal landslides at Mauao / Mount Maunganui.
  • Tauranga City Council’s Emergency Operations Centre is active, working alongside Police and partner agencies to coordinate evacuations, cordons, and community support.

Evacuations, closures, and cordons

  • Mauao is no longer a designated tsunami safe location and is closed to the public until further notice.
  • Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park is closed until further notice.
  • Cordoned areas around Mount Maunganui have been progressively adjusted to allow limited reopening of businesses where safety permitted. Marine Parade, as far as Adams Avenue is open to pedestrians.
  • Mount Drury has now reopened and is a designated tsunami safe location.

Community care and wellbeing support

  • The He Maimai Aroha Community Care Centre has been established at Mount Maunganui, operating daily from 9am to 9pm, providing a space for reflection, volunteer support, and access to psychosocial services.
  • Residents are encouraged to access mental health support through the national 1737 counselling service.

Business and practical support measures

A dedicated council business support team is working directly with affected businesses to provide guidance and assistance. You can contact them at: [email protected]

Community care and wellbeing support

  • The He Maimai Aroha Community Care Centre has been established at Mount Maunganui, operating daily from 9am to 9pm, providing a space for reflection, volunteer support, and access to psychosocial services.
  • Residents are encouraged to access mental health support through the national 1737 counselling service.

Updates

  • (6 February) – The Mall, Maunganui Road, Marine Parade and Adams Avenue were opened to vehicles and pedestrians. Mauao remains closed to protect public safety.
  • He Maimai Aroha – Community Care Centre, a hub established on Maunganui Road following the Mauao landslide, has changed its opening hours.
  • Local Transition period, under Section 94B of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, took effect at 12.42pm on 4 February and ends on 4 March unless it is extended or ends before then.
  • Investigations on the Hairini Bridge were commenced from the Waimapu Estuary on Tuesday, 3 February and will continue through Friday, 13 February.
  • (2 February)Tauranga Mayoral Relief Fund – Tauranga City Council. Tauranga City Council has established a Mayoral Relief Fund to provide timely financial assistance to families, residents and businesses experiencing urgent, unmet needs following the recent severe weather events across Tauranga. Families, residents and businesses affected by the recent severe weather events can apply online through Mayoral Relief Fund online application form or through in-person applications at Council service centres. Applications will close at the end of February 2026. 
  • (1 February) – We would like to acknowledge Police’s announcement today confirming that this morning the recovery operation at the Mauao landslide site has now been stood down.
  • (31 Jan)Update from Tauranga City Council’s Emergency Operations Centre
  • Tauranga City Council City Operations staff will be maintaining the memorial site along the Mauao/Mount Maunganui fenced area as a mark of respect. The aroha and condolences from the community for those who tragically lost their lives in the Mauao landslide, and their loved ones, is expressed through the heartfelt messages of support, flowers, and mementos left at the temporary memorial on the corner of Adams Avenue and The Mall.
  • To ensure that these can continue to be shared, all messages and mementos will be relocated to He Maimai Aroha – Community Care Centre, 249 Maunganui Road, when the cordon currently in place is moved.

Council website and contact details

Website: https://www.tcdc.govt.nz

Phone: 07 868 0200

After-hours emergencies: 0800 865 867

Emergency declaration and district response

The district is transitioning out of a state of emergency to recovery.

Infrastructure, water, roads

  • Significant damage to water infrastructure in Tairua and Matarangi resulted in outages and water restrictions, followed by temporary repairs and staged restoration.
  • Wastewater overflows in areas including Whitianga. The public is advised not to swim, fish or collect shellfish in the Whangapoua Harbour until further notice.
  • All local Council roads are now open to the public (except for Dundas St, Whitianga – resident only access).
  • SH25 between Kūaotunu and Kūaotunu West/Matarangi is now open with a temporary speed limit in place.
  • SH25 Whangamatā to Whiritoa remains closed.

Financial support

  • The Thames-Coromandel Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund opened on 24 January 2026 to support residents, ratepayers, small businesses, marae, and community organisations to assist with uninsured losses, clean-up costs, basic needs, and other extraordinary hardship where no other support is available.

Key source links

https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Our-Council/News-Media-and-Public-Notices/Latest-News/Weather-event-live-updates

https://www.tcdc.govt.nz/Our-Council/News-Media-and-Public-Notices/Latest-News/Thames-Coromandel-Mayoral-Disaster-Relief-Fund-Opens


Updates

  • (9 February) – Everything you need is organised and updated here: January 2026 Storm Recovery | TCDC. This page has information on current roading status updates, mayoral disaster relief fund and contamination in Whangapoua harbor etc. Please share with/direct all business owners in the Thames-Coromandel region to this link.

A precautionary State of Emergency was declared for the Far North District today (Thursday 26 March), for an initial period of seven days. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was stood up by the council at its headquarters in Kaikohe this morning.

State of Emergency closures: 26 March 2026. Due to severe weather, all Far North service centres, isites, libraries (including the mobile library), and the museum at Te Ahu have closed until further notice. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause. Please contact the council team on 0800 920 029 if you require urgent assistance.

Residents are encouraged to report issues to the contact centre on 0800 920 029.


For further Information, please get in touch via: [email protected] or 0800 472 472.

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