WESTERN WAIKATO EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE UPDATES

From response to recovery

The Ōtorohanga and Waipā districts are shifting from the response phase into recovery following the recent severe weather event and the declaration of a Civil Defence State of Emergency.

Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund

Applications are open to the Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund in response to the recent severe weather event that has impacted communities across the district. The fund may assist with:

basic household needs and essential personal items (where uninsured or underinsured)
clearing debris from properties
assisting with insurance excess payments
replacing essential uninsured or underinsured items.

Donations are also welcome and can be made to:

Ōtorohanga District Council – Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund
Account number: 02-0392-0018241-003

Find out more >>

Latest updates

Roading update

Updated at 5.30pm on Friday 27 February.

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.

Monitoring, inspections and repairs continue on multiple culverts and bridges across the district. Anyone travelling in affected areas is urged to check the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi online journey planner for state highways, or the Ōtorohanga District Council or Waipā District Council websites.

Please respect the road closures, which are in place for the safety of the public and our roading contractors undertaking assessments and repairs. Thank you for your understanding.

CLOSED ROADS

State highways

Due to bridge and road flood damage, SH39 is closed between Ngutunui Rd and Te Tahi Rd.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop on 26 February announced a temporary bridge is expected to be in place on State Highway 39 by mid‑March, reconnecting the community south of Pirongia after the Mangati Bridge was destroyed in the floods.
For the latest information on state highways, check: NZTA Waka Kotahi's online journey planner

District roads closed

Bayley Road closed at bridge RP 13334 by house no 1345. Bayley road does NOT affect access to Seafund/Wharepapa South roads
Lurman Road (closed at Paewhenua Road end)
Mangati Road (open to residents only with caution)
Otewa Road (closed at bluff)
Pirongia West Road (closed at bush near Pekanui Road)

OPEN ROADS – caution needed

For the latest information on state highways, check: NZTA Waka Kotahi's online journey planner

SH31 to Kāwhia from SH39 is open with speed restrictions.
Aotearoa Road
Barber Road
Hikurangi Road
Kio Kio Station Rd
Kiwi Road
Maihiihi Road
Mangati Road (to approx. 7km mark)
Mangawhero Rd (one lane only)
Mangauika Road Bridge (opened 27 Feb)
Moerangi Road
Ngaroma Road
Okupata Road
Otoru Road
Pekanui Road
Pirongia West Road (open except at Pekanui Road end)
Pokuru Road
Ranganui Road
Rotoiti Road
SH3 Kiokio
SH3 Ōtorohanga township
SH31 (between SH39 and Ngutunui Road)
Tauraroa Valley Road
Taupaki Road
Te Kawa Road
Te Tahi Road
Turitea Road
Waimahora Road
Waipapa Road (caution 1 lane)
Wairehi Road
Wynyard Road

Ōtorohanga township updates

Library

The Ōtorohanga Library has reopened.

Rubbish and recycling updates:

Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia:

Rubbish and kerbside recycling collections have resumed.

Ngutunui area/Mangati Road/Te Tahi/Ormsby Road/Maungauika Road areas:

Rubbish:

If you are no longer able to easily access Pirongia to drop off your pre-paid rubbish bags for collection, please bring them down to the Ōtorohanga Waste Transfer Station located at 40 Progress Drive, Ōtorohanga. It is open 10am-4pm six days a week (open every day apart from Thursdays). Yellow pre-paid bags can be dropped off for free and black bags of rubbish can also be brought in with disposal charges applied.

Recycling:
Recycling should be clean/rinsed and with lids removed. Accepted items: plastics 1/2/5, paper and cardboard, tins and cans, and glass.

Our Rural Recycling Facilities are open as usual. However, if you are no longer able to easily access these there are a couple of options:

Bring your recyclables to the Ōtorohanga Waste Transfer Station, 40 Progress Drive where they can be dropped off for free.
You can take your recyclables to the Evolve Resource Recovery Centre located in Te Awamutu ( Daphne Street, Te Awamutu); however, there is a drop-off fee of $9.10.

For more info check out:

Kerbside Collection & Centres | Ōtorohanga District Council
Rubbish and transfer stations | Waste Less Waipā

General information

Homeowner support

New Zealand Claims Resolution Service
This free government service provides homeowners with independent advice and support to resolve residential insurance issues resulting from natural disasters.
Visit www.nzcrs.govt.nz

Welfare

The following services are available if you or someone you know in Ōtorohanga District Council needs help:

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
Call 0800 568 273 and leave a call back request

Need to Talk?
Free counselling by phone or text, 24/7.
Call or text 1737.

Building inspections and site visits

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

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 to learn more about the assessment system.

Safety advice during clean-up

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 runoff and chemicals. Taking simple, safe clean‑up steps can help protect you, your whānau and your home as you recover.

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

Cover for storm, flood and landslide damage

The Natural Hazards Commission (formerly known as EQC) has information on what you’re covered for following a storm, flood or landslide, and how it can contribute to the cost of clean-up to some of your land.

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