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Waipā District in Recovery phase

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Waipā District officially moved into Recovery mode on Monday, April 13, following the recent severe weather events.

A State of Emergency was first declared on Saturday, February 14 following a one-in-250-year storm and flooding. This was lifted on Wednesday, February 25 and the district entered a transition period for an initial 28 days. The transition period was extended for a further 28 days on Wednesday, March 25.

A pre-emptive Waikato region-wide State of Emergency was declared on Saturday, April 11 as Cyclone Vaianu approached.

When this was lifted on Monday, April 13 it meant Waipā moved into the full Recovery phase.

Updates - week of 13 April

Waipā District has officially moved into Recovery mode following recent severe weather events, with the Transition Period from response now lifted.

The transition period was put in place after February’s severe weather, providing continuation of Emergency Management Powers for the Recovery Manager, to allow Council and partner agencies to coordinate ongoing support while longer-term recovery arrangements were established.

Work across the district remains focused on reconnecting communities, restoring infrastructure and supporting those still affected. This includes ongoing work on roads and bridges, water infrastructure, land stability issues, and access to sites for assessment and repair.

The move to the Recovery phase follows the end of the Waikato region-wide precautionary State of Emergency declared ahead of Cyclone Vaianu. The Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group ended the declaration for the region at 6pm on Monday, April 13.

Previous updates

25 March 2026 - Recovery transition period extended for Waipā and Ōtorohanga districts

The Waipā and Ōtorohanga districts are extending their current Recovery Transition period for a further 28 days, following last month’s severe weather event.

The transition period was first put in place on Wednesday, February 25 following the lifting of the Civil Defence State of Emergency. The extension means Councils and recovery partners can continue to manage remaining recovery issues while longer-term arrangements are put in place.

Read more here.

Lower tracks on Pirongia Forest reopen Saturday, March 21.

Pirongia Forest is ready to welcome back recreational users to its lower slopes, with a range of popular tracks reopening midday, Saturday, March 21.

Following severe storm damage that forced the forest’s closure in February, Council has been working with Pirongia Mountain Bike Club to restore safe access to tracks located below the Mangawawe Stream.

Tracks above the stream will remain closed due to ongoing safety risks, including unstable ground, debris, and severe damage to connecting forestry roads.

Read more here: bit.ly/4sR13D7

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has reopened State Highway 39 with a temporary bridge installed beside Mangati Bridge.

They have installed the temporary Acrow bridge in place following the original bridge being destroyed in the February floods. It's a single‑lane bridge operated by traffic lights and has a 50‑tonne weight limit.

An Acrow bridge is a modular steel bridge used around the world in emergency situations, similar to a Bailey bridge, but stronger and able to carry heavier loads.

They are moving quickly on a permanent solution, fast tracking the design and procurement of a new two-lane replacement bridge, with construction planned for spring.

More information available on their website.

Recycling collection back to normal for Pirongia, Wharepapa South and Corcoran Road residents

Following recent severe weather, recycling schedules for affected areas have returned to normal.

If you live on any of the following roads, please resume your normal yellow and blue recycling collections:

  • Butler Road
  • South Butler Road
  • O'Shea Road
  • Sainsbury Road
  • Mangauika Road
  • Waikoha Road
  • Wharepapa South Road
  • Whatauri Road
  • Waipapa Road
  • Rotongata Road
  • Corcoran Road

State Highway 39 traffic is expected to be flowing over a temporary bridge south of Pirongia by the end of next week, as work continues at pace to restore this key connection. Read more here.

Updated roading information available on our website here.

Maungauika Road Bridge update

We’re reopening the Mangauika Road Bridge from 5pm today, Friday February 27.

There will be a 10km/h speed restriction in place at the site while we continue to monitor the bridge under traffic. Please take it slow and follow all signage.

Further work is planned soon to complete slip repairs (and possible culvert repairs) about 900 metres north of the bridge. That section of Mangauika Road will remain under temporary traffic management.

Our focus at the bridge site will now shift to designing and constructing permanent reinstatement and protection works beneath the bridge, to help protect it from similar flood events in the future.

Recycling update for Pirongia and Wharepapa South residents

In response to the severe weather event that impacted the Pirongia and Wharepapa South communities, we are introducing a special recycling collection schedule for yellow and blue recycling bins in the affected areas. This schedule will continue until regular collection services can resume.

Areas Yellow recycling collection Blue recycling collection
Butler Road,
South Butler Road,
O'Shea Road,
Sainsbury Road,
Mangauika Road, Waikoha Road 		The yellow recycling bin will be collected on Friday, February 27, and every two Fridays after until normal collections resume. The blue recycling bin will be collected on Monday, March 2, and again 4 weeks later, until normal collections resume.
Wharepapa South Road,
Whatauri Road,
Waipapa Road,
Rotongata Road 		The yellow recycling bin will be collected on Wednesday, March 4 and every two Wednesdays after until normal collections resume. The blue recycling bin will be collected on Wednesday, March 11, and again 4 weeks later until normal collections resume.

Please make sure your bins are out at the kerbside by 7am. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time

Update - 11:30am

Update - 12pm

The Waipā and Ōtorohanga 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.

Read the full story here.

Updated roading information available on our website here.

Updated roading information available on our website here.

  • Updated roading information available on our website here.
  • Pirongia’s water supply has been strengthened today with a new backup connection completed at the Frontier Road reservoir. Read more here

  • Both Waipā and Ōtorohanga Districts have extended their respective states of emergency for a further seven days. Read more here.
  • The Waipā District Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund is now open for applications from people and groups across the district affected by recent flooding and storm damage. Find out more: waipadc.govt.nz/relief-fund.
  • Updated roading information available on our website here.

  • Updated roading information available on our website here.
  • Severe weather has caused significant damage closing Pirongia Forest, Sainsbury Road Reserve, Kakepuku Mountain Track and several other popular tracks and reserves across Pirongia to protect public safety. Find out more here.

Updated roading information available here.

Updated roading information available here.

4pm update- Updated roading information available here.

2:30pm update - Added FAQs about Corcoran Road (scroll down).

11:45 update - Combined response underway for Ōtorohanga and Waipā

Ōtorohanga and Waipā District Councils are working together from a shared Emergency Operations Centre (based at Ōtorohanga District Council building) to coordinate the response and support communities.

Council, contractors and emergency services are out across the districts assessing damage, managing road closures, supporting communities and working on temporary solutions where possible.

Isolated properties

We know some properties are currently isolated due to flooding and road damage. Our response teams are on the ground and working directly with affected communities to assess needs and provide support. New Zealand Response Team staff from Auckland are being deployed to visit isolated communities by helicopter. We will continue to update this page as more details come to hand.

Road closures

Anyone in affected areas is urged to check NZTA Waka Kotahi’s online journey planner for state highway information.

Several roads remain closed due to flooding, slips and damage, including:

  • Corcoran Road (Te Pahu): Corcoran Road is closed beyond house number 238 due to a serious risk of road collapse. Access to the end of the road is likely to be several days away.
  • Maungauika Road (Pirongia): Closed at the one-way bridge on the Waipā–Ōtorohanga boundary due to damage. No access across the bridge until it is made safe.
  • Whatauri Road (Wharepapa South): Closed beyond the 1.8km mark after a culvert failure. No vehicle access at this time while temporary access is planned.
  • Wharepapa South Road: closed.
  • Waikoha Road: closed.
  • SH39: closed between Pirongia and Puketotara

Please avoid closed roads and follow all signage. Do not attempt to cross floodwater or barriers or cones.

Pirongia residents need to conserve water

Pirongia’s water supply continues to be reduced because flooding has caused significant damage to the Te Tahi water treatment plant, which normally supplies the area. 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.

Please conserve water and limit use to drinking and essential sanitary needs only.

Need help or want to report an issue?

We know this is a challenging time for many people. Please stay safe, look out for one another, and check in on neighbours, whānau and friends where you can. If you need support or are worried about someone else, don’t hesitate to reach out – help is available.

6:30pm update - New information added to the FAQs below about Te Tahi Road reservoir.

5pm update

This is a fast-changing situation and conditions may worsen quickly. Residents are urged to stay informed and follow official advice.

Avoid unnecessary travel

  • Avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in areas with weather warnings.
  • If you must travel, slow down and expect surface flooding, debris or road closures.
  • Do not drive, walk or swim through flood waters.
  • We have had reports that people are removing road closure signs. Any roads that have been closed are done so for safety purposes. It is important that people do not remove the signs and do not drive on closed roads.

Be prepared to evacuate

Water supply – Pirongia

Te Tahi water treatment plant has been significantly damaged by flooding and is currently offline.

  • Water supply has been redirected to Pirongia from the Frontier Road plant in Te Awamutu, with reduced flow.
  • Residents are asked to conserve water.
  • Pirongia residents are asked to restrict water use to drinking and essential sanitary use only.
  • Water tankers are being arranged and will be deployed if required.
  • Where water is available, it remains safe to drink.
  • Wastewater systems are operating normally.
  • If you have an issues with your supply, brown water, low pressure, no water, please contact Council on 0800 924 723.

Further updates will be provided as the situation changes.

Stay alert for landslides

Landslides can occur during heavy rain and for several days afterwards, often without warning. Warning signs may include:

  • New cracks in the ground, paths or driveways.
  • Soil, rocks or debris appearing where it hasn’t before.
  • Tilting trees, poles or retaining walls.
  • Unusual rumbling sounds during or after heavy rain.
  • If you notice these signs, move away from the area if it is safe to do so, email info@waipadc.govt.nz or and call 111 if there is immediate danger.

FAQs

Following severe weather causing floods, slips and damage across the district (including roads and buildings), the State of Emergency declaration allows Civil Defence and emergency services to respond quickly to flooding, slips and infrastructure damage and to support affected communities.

Waipā Mayor Mike Pettit has declared a State of Emergency for the Waipā District, effective immediately (signed at 3pm on Saturday, 14 February 2026) and set to remain in place for seven days until Friday, 20 February 2026.

If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. If you feel unsafe, self evacuate early rather than waiting.

If you are unsure, call 0800 924 723 for advice.

Essentials such as medication, warm clothing, chargers, important documents, food and water.

Updates are being shared on:

Emergency if in danger: 111

Flooding or urgent Council issues:

Give us a call at Waipā District Council - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Freephone: 0800 WAIPADC (0800 924 723).

Welfare support: Waikato Civil Defence

Significant road closures remain across parts of the district.

Please check NZTA’s Journey Planner and follow local road closure signage.

Current updates will also be shared below.

Update: 11:45am Monday 16 February 2026

Several roads remain closed due to flooding, slips and damage, including:

  • Corcoran Road (Te Pahu): Corcoran Road is closed beyond house number 238 due to a serious risk of road collapse. Access to the end of the road is likely to be several days away.
  • Maungauika Road (Pirongia): Closed at the one-way bridge on the Waipā–Ōtorohanga boundary due to damage. No access across the bridge until it is made safe.
  • Whatauri Road (Wharepapa South): Closed beyond the 1.8km mark after a culvert failure. No vehicle access at this time while a temporary bridge is planned.
  • Wharepapa South Road: closed.
  • Waikoha Road: closed.
  • SH39: closed between Pirongia and Puketotara

Update: 5pm Sunday 15 February 2026

Local roads still closed:

  • Corcoran Road
  • Mangauika Road Bridge
  • Whatauri Road
  • Waikoha Road

Update: 12pm Sunday 15 February 2026

Local roads still closed:

  • Corcoran Road
  • Grey Road
  • Limeworks Loop Road
  • Quarry Road
  • Fillery Road
  • Maungauika Road
  • Sainsbury Road
  • Waite Road
  • Kakepuku Road
  • Baffin Street has reopened, but residents should take extra care.

NZTA state highways closed:

  • SH3 Te Awamutu to Otorohanga
  • SH39 Pirongia to Otorohanga

Please see the Water supply – Pirongia section above for the latest information.

The tanker is to supply water to Fire and Emergency New Zealand if needed.

The Te Tahi Road reservoir is currently being drained to check for damage. Please stay clear of the area.

Here to Help U is a one‑stop support service coordinating Civil Defence welfare requests for individuals and families in affected areas.

  • For help with food, financial hardship, mental wellbeing, social services and more
  • Call 0800 568 273 and leave a callback request
  • Or visit www.heretohelpu.nz

Confidential support is available through Rural Support for farmers, growers and rural whānau experiencing stress, damage or loss.

  • Call 0800 787 254
  • Free, confidential and available to talk things through

Put your safety first, and assume flood‑affected areas and items are contaminated – wearing protective gear and drying your home as soon as possible can help protect your health and reduce mould. Here are two factsheets about with practical guidance on Cleaning up a flooded home and Preventing mould after flooding.

Cleaning up a flooded home
Preventing mould after flooding

Useful links

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