WESTERN WAIKATO EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE UPDATES

Ōtorohanga District is currently in a State of Emergency due to severe weather causing flooding, slips and impacts to roads and water infrastructure. We are operating in a joint Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) with Waipā District to coordinate response and recovery activity across the region. 

EOC update – 0930am Tuesday 17 Feb 2026 

JOINT NEWS RELEASE – EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE

Maintaining Pirongia’s drinking water supply, supporting remote communities and continuing returning local roads to service are the focus areas for the Civil Defence response in the west Waikato states of emergency.

The response is being managed by a joint Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre operating from Ōtorohanga District Council offices. The centre is supporting Waipā and Ōtorohanga councils.

Water conservation needed in Pirongia

Waipā District Council has established an alternate emergency supply of drinking water from the Te Awamutu Treatment Plant, after flooding and erosion impacted the Te Tahi supply. Water conservation is critical if the stopgap measures are to continue to service Pirongia.

Short showers, reduced flushing of toilets, no outside watering – every drop saved buys us time to build some resilience into our network. The community is doing a great job but there’s no quick fix. Tankered water remains a contingency but maintaining the alternate supply is better for the community.

Roadworks

State Highway 39 remains closed between Ōtorohanga and Pirongia. SH31 to Kawhia was reopened on Monday evening. Check NZTA Waka Kotahi for ongoing updates.

Monitoring and inspections continue on multiple culverts and bridges. Anyone travelling in affected areas is urged to check NZTA Waka Kotahi’s online journey planner for state highways, or the Ōtorohanga District Council or Waipā District Council websites.

Please take extra care - roading crews, inspection teams and emergency vehicles are on the roads across the district.

Building inspections and site visits

Council building inspectors are carrying out Rapid Building Assessments (RBA) in the storm-affected areas, with a placard system used for properties which have been inspected. 57 properties have been inspected so far in Ōtorohanga. Staff will have Civil Defence and Council ID.

White placards mean the building is safe to occupy, yellow means access is restricted with conditions, and red means do not enter due to land or property damage.

Two properties have been red stickered, 15 yellow, seven white, 24 assessed but not stickered and nine assessed but yet to be designated.

Welfare staff continue to contact and support affected property owners in Corcoran Road, Whatauri Road and Kiwi Rd, with helicopter reconnaissance to review bridge and culvert impacts in less accessible areas.

Marae

Marae across the district have been supporting local communities and hosting evacuated residents and displaced persons. Māori wardens and NZ Response Team members, with Civil Defence welfare staff, will visit marae in Kāwhia today.

Te Kotahitanga Marae (Ōtorohanga) hosted a peak of 100 displaced people during the response. Most have now returned to their homes and the marae continues to support the community. Civil defence staff and iwi liaison are working with marae impacted by the flooding event.

Requests for assistance via Here to Help U line

Welfare requests by individuals and families are being co-ordinated through Here to Help U as a one-stop support service in affected areas. People can contact 0800 568 273 and leave a call back request.

- ENDS -

CLEANING UP SAFELY AFTER FLOODING

Dealing with flooding can be overwhelming and exhausting. As you begin to clean up, it’s important to take care of your health as well as your home.

Flooding can leave behind contaminated water, silt and damp conditions that may pose health risks. Floodwater can contain harmful germs from sewage, farm run‑off and chemicals. Taking simple, safe clean‑up steps can help protect you, your whānau and your home as you recover. 

Click on the links below for guidance.

Cleaning up a flooded home guide

Preventing and cleaning up mould

For more information, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

ROADING UPDATES

Geotechnical teams have been assessing slips and checking the structural stability of roads. This work is ongoing to ensure safety before routes are reopened. Please bear with us as assessments continue.

For state highways, check out NZTA Waka Kotahi’s online journey planner 

District roading: Roading updates including road closures

UPDATE NEWS RELEASE - 16 FEB 2026 - 3.45PM

Joint media statement – Western Waikato Emergency Operations Centre 

‘Fragile’ Pirongia water supply a focus for Civil Defence

The black Friday deluge which struck Mt Pirongia and the western Waikato washed away a water treatment plant supplying the Waipā District township of Pirongia.

With reservoir supplies dwindling, Waipā District Council has established an alternate emergency supply from the Te Awamutu Treatment Plant, but water conservation is critical if the stopgap measures are to continue to service Pirongia.

Contingency planning for the supply has been one of the major issues for the joint Civil Defence Emergency Operations Centre operating from Ōtorohanga District Council offices. The centre is supporting Waipā and Ōtorohanga councils after States of Emergency were declared on the weekend.

Civil Defence controller Wayne Allan said this afternoon’s Incident Management Team meeting illustrated the differing needs as the response progresses.

“This weather event was short, sharp and with intensity which varied significantly across the region. We’re already seeing some areas returning to business as usual, while just a few kilometres away we have communities isolated, roads severed and bridges, pipes and culverts still at risk.

“In terms of numbers of impacted people, our primary focus has to be Pirongia’s water supply. The supply is fragile and relies on a single pipe to support an entire community. Water tankers are a contingency option but the least impact on households will be to reduce water use and make the reduced supply last. We have seen an increase in water use in the last 24 hours and we’re monitoring it – we urge the community to keep the savings going.

“Short showers, reduced flushing of toilets, no outside watering – every drop saved buys us time to build some resilience into our network. We drained the reservoir to inspect it this morning, and experts are building a picture of what future works may be required. The community is doing a great job but there’s no quick fix.”

Mr Allan says Civil Defence welfare teams are getting direct support to isolated properties and teams continue to do rapid assessments for buildings with support from local council staff. Welfare requests by individuals and families are being co-ordinated through Here to Help U as a one-stop support service in affected areas. People can contact 0800 568 273 and leave a call back request.

Welfare support and property inspections continue in Wharepapa South, Kāwhia, Aotea and Corcoran Road as well as urban areas.

While roads are re-opening in some areas, monitoring and inspections continue on multiple culverts and bridges. Anyone travelling in affected areas is urged to check NZTA Waka Kotahi’s online journey planner for state highways, or the Ōtorohanga District Council or Waipā District Council websites.

ENDS

UPDATE NEWS RELEASE - 16 FEB 2026

Joint media statement – Western Waikato Emergency Operations Centre

Response teams continue working across southwest Waikato.

The focus of emergency response in southwest Waikato remains reaching isolated communities and properties, assessing and addressing known damage, and maintaining safe drinking water supply to Pirongia.

A joint Emergency Operations Centre has been established at Ōtorohanga District Council offices, to support Waipā and Ōtorohanga councils after States of Emergency were declared on the weekend in response to significant weather events.

Civil Defence controller Wayne Allan said this morning’s first Incident Management Team meeting brought together reports from multiple response teams and agencies, all with the primary focus of preserving life and working towards recovery for individuals, families and the region. A team of New Zealand Response Team staff from Auckland arrived this morning to help connect on the ground with people in isolated areas.

The water supply to Pirongia remains a significant concern, despite a strong community effort to conserve water in recent days. Flooding demolished the water treatment station on Te Tahi Road, and the reservoir has been drained for further inspections. Alternate emergency supply is being piped from Te Awamutu but tankered water remains a contingency. Wastewater networks are not affected.

“The Pirongia community is doing a great job with water conservation but it’s critical they continue to do so,” Mr Allan says

“This remains an evolving situation and we reiterate the need for people to take any warnings seriously and respect safety signage. We have received reports of people driving through roadblocks which is not only dangerous for the individuals, it can impact and slow response teams.

“This is also locals helping locals. It’s a joint effort from not just Waipā and Ōtorohanga Councils but also neighbouring councils and Civil Defence teams to support our people. We thank the Mayors and Councillors, our mana whenua partners and our community. Many of the people working on this response are doing so while their own homes, friends and family have been impacted.

“The focus for the response teams is on Wharepapa South, Kāwhia, Aotea and Corcoran Road, as well as assisting with clean-up efforts underway in the Ōtorohanga township. A helicopter will be used to look at infrastructure across the districts as well as property checks and welfare support in Wharapapa South.

“We are contacting and visiting properties individually and have support from multiple agencies. 120 people have been evacuated and are safe. Council building inspectors are carrying out Rapid Building Assessments (RBA) in the storm-affected areas, with a placard system used for properties which have been inspected,“ Mr Allan said.

White placards mean the building is safe to occupy, yellow means access is restricted with conditions, and red means do not enter due to land or property damage. Two properties have received red notices to date.

Anyone travelling in affected areas is urged to check NZTA Waka Kotahi’s online journey planner for state highways, or the Ōtorohanga District Council or Waipa District Council websites.

Roads are re-opening in some areas, but monitoring continues with numerous culverts and bridges being inspected after significant scouring and flooding.

Civil Defence welfare requests by individuals and families are being co-ordinated through Here to Help U as a one-stop support service in affected areas. People can contact 0800 568 273 and leave a call back request.

ENDS

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IN ŌTOROHANGA DISTRICT NEEDS HELP

Here are the services available:

• Ministry of Social Development (MSD)

Financial assistance, welfare support, accommodation help.

Call 0800 559 009 or visit your local MSD office.

• Rural Support Trust

Confidential support for farmers, growers, and rural whānau dealing with stress, damage, or loss.

Call 0800 787 254.

• Here to Help U

One stop support for food parcels, financial hardship, mental health, social services and more.

Visit: www.heretohelpu.nz

• Need to Talk?

Free counselling by phone or text, 24/7.

Call or text 1737.

• Ōtorohanga District Council Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund –

https://www.otodc.govt.nz/latest-news/article/603/mayoral-disaster-relief-fund-activated-for-otorohanga-district

• Local services offering food, shelter, emotional support and recovery assistance.

Check in with:

- Local marae and iwi providers

- Salvation Army

- Red Cross

- Local churches and community hubs

BUILDING DAMAGED BY FLOODING OR SLIPS?

Our building inspectors have been out to carry out Rapid Building Assessment (RBA) in the storm-affected areas. If so, you’ll see a placard on your building - white, yellow or red.

What do the colours mean?

⚪️ White - safe to occupy, but keep an eye out for any damage. 

🟡 Yellow - limited access only. Some areas may be restricted and used under supervision.

🔴 Red - do not enter due to damage or land risk. This doesn’t always mean the building will be demolished.

Watch MBIE's video below to learn more about the assessment system:  https://youtu.be/v3A2OqJYdE4?si=scjE3ygEuvDSROt9 

NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE TEAMS (NZRT) ARE IN THE DISTRICT

New Zealand Response Teams (NZRT) are trained first responders who support Civil Defence and local communities during and after emergencies.

Today, NZRT volunteers will be on the ground in Ōtorohanga helping clear debris and flood‑damaged properties, alongside local Civil Defence staff. They’ll also be visiting affected areas to assess people’s needs and provide extra support where it’s needed most.