Heavy Rain, Strong Wind - Coromandel Peninsula

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Updated at 7am on Thursday, 22 January 2026

State of emergency declarations 

The Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC) and Hauraki District Council (HDC) have each declared a state of emergency as a result of the impacts of persistent heavy rain. A declaration ensures a coordinated response to keep communities safe and gives local authorities special powers to take urgent action to protect lives and property, including: 

  • closing roads and controlling access to affected areas 
  • evacuating people from high-risk locations 
  • entering properties to carry out rescues or check on safety 
  • requisitioning resources to support our emergency response 
     

Here's what you need to do: 

  • Follow instructions from emergency services immediately 
  • If you are in a low-lying area or near rivers, move to higher ground now 
  • Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary 
  • Stay out of floodwater, rivers, and areas at risk of slips 
  • Stay informed through local radio, the TCDC and HDC websites and Facebook pages, MetService updates and NZTA Waka Kotahi. 

MetService forecast

MetService severe weather warnings and watches for the Waikato region have been cancelled. However, agencies continue to respond to the impacts of sustained heavy rain and wind this week. 

Changes to the weather can occur quickly, so please keep up to date with the latest forecasts. For national severe weather information, MetService is New Zealand’s only authorised provider of Severe Weather Alerts.

Conditions

With heavy rain, streams and rivers will rise rapidly, slips may occur and trees may fall. As a result, there may be road closures, so please check with Thames-Coromandel District Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for the latest information.

As driving conditions are hazardous, avoid unnecessary travel. If you are on the roads, in particular travelling to or from a holiday hotspot on the east coast.

Remember, never enter, swim or drive through flood water.

Be prepared

If you haven’t already:

  • Clear drains and gutters
  • Secure loose outdoor items
  • Move valuables and vehicles away from flood prone areas
  • Relocate stock from low lying land and bring pets indoors
  • Have essentials ready in case of power outages or road closures
  • Have a grab bag and evacuation plan ready.

More information

MetService: www.metservice.com/warnings/home

NZTA: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner

Thames-Coromandel District Council: www.tcdc.govt.nz

Hauraki District Council: www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz

Flood Room: www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/flood-room