Ngati Kahu Social and Health Services

12/04/2026

Updated 5:20pm (12/04): All weather warnings for Northland have been lifted. Here's a message from Controller Damian Rio of the Northland Emergency Management Group https://www.facebook.com/reel/1512395523836124

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Kia ora Northland,

Cyclone Vaianu moved through the region overnight. The heavy rain warning for our region has been lifted, but the wind warning remains in place until 3pm this afternoon. You can keep up-to-date with the latest information on the weather warnings at:
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

Thank you to everyone in our region for getting prepared. While the effects of Cyclone Vaianu were less than expected in Northland this time, it’s important that we always treat weather warnings seriously. By preparing yourself and your whānau when warnings go out, you make a huge difference to how well we can manage and come through emergencies, from easing the pressure on emergency responders to helping us direct support to where it is needed most. The small steps you take add up to a big difference for our region.

Response agencies are continuing to monitor ongoing hazards. The winds are not expected to fully ease until late afternoon. Strong winds could still bring the risk of trees falling and possible power outages. The ground is very wet, which may increase the risk of landslides, especially where the land is already unstable. So please continue to be careful, especially if you are out and about today.

🚗ROADS:
To check for any road closures or delays on state highways, visit Journey planner | NZTA Journey Planner
To report issues with local roads and check road status updates:
• Whangarei District Council has an interactive map of known roading issues in the district, which is updated every 15 minutes. Phone: 0800 932 463 | Website: www.wdc.govt.nz
• Kaipara District Council Phone: 0800 727 059 | Website: www.kaipara.govt.nz
• Far North District Council Phone: 0800 920 029 | Website: www.fndc.govt.nz

⚡POWER:
To keep up-to-date with power outage information, visit:
• Whangārei and Kaipara: https://northpower.com/electricity/current-outages
• Far North: https://outages.topenergy.co.nz/

Thanks again, Northland and continue to take care out there.

10/04/2026

State of Emergency declared in Northland as precautionary step

A State of Emergency has been declared for Northland as at 5pm Friday 10 April, for an initial period of seven days, as part of the regional response to Cyclone Vaianu.

Regional-wide emergency declarations are relatively rare in Northland and the move has been taken as a precaution given the potentially significant impacts that may be seen across Taitokerau from Cyclone Vaianu.

Declaring an emergency is a step under our legislation which allows the Civil Defence Controller and/or those to whom they delegate authority, access to emergency powers, granting authority to protect life and property in extraordinary emergency events under the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Act 2002.

The most commonly-used emergency powers include evacuating premises and places, entering premises, closing roads and public places, removing aircraft, vessels, vehicles etc and requisitioning property, equipment, material or supplies. Of these, enabling evacuations is often the key reason for an emergency declaration.

We don’t know yet whether emergency powers will need to be used, but this declaration means we can act quickly if required.

For more info, check out the media release: https://www.nrc.govt.nz/news/2026/april/state-of-emergency-declared-in-northland-as-precautionary-step/

09/04/2026

Kia ora Northland,

We’re continuing to keep a close watch on Cyclone Vaianu, which is expected to affect our region from Saturday night through Sunday.

While there is still some uncertainty around the system’s exact track and impacts, Northland Civil Defence, local councils, emergency services, and lifeline utilities are actively preparing, and we’re asking Northlanders and visitors to the region to do the same.

MetService New Zealand will continue to update forecasts as we get closer. Please keep up to date with the latest watches and warnings for Northland here:
👉 https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

So, now is a good time to get ready, ahead of any bad weather.

What you can do now to prepare
➡️Clear drains and gutters
➡️Secure loose outdoor items like trampolines, furniture, and building materials
➡️Move vehicles, valuables, and livestock away from flood prone areas
➡️Bring pets indoors and relocate animals from low lying land
➡️Prepare for possible power outages – charge phones and power banks, and make sure you have food, water, torches, radios, batteries, and any essential medications
➡️Have a grab bag ready with warm clothes, important documents, and essential items
➡️Decide where you will go if you need to evacuate and make sure everyone in your household knows. Your evacuation place will probably be with friends or family, so make sure they know your plans.

For campers, motorhomes, and visitors to the region ⛺
➡️Please avoid staying in low lying, river, or coastal areas, which may be more exposed to flooding and storm surge
➡️Strong winds can be dangerous for tents, campers, and motorhomes, especially in exposed locations
➡️If you’re camping or travelling, review your plans now and make sure you are in a safe, sheltered area before any bad weather arrives

Boaties 🚤
Strong winds and swells are expected, so make sure to check mooring lines and ensure vessels are secure.
You can find more tips and information here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18SFjQUx2W/

Stay informed
➡️Follow updates from MetService, your local council, and us here at Civil Defence Northland
➡️Information about local roads and infrastructure is best accessed through your local council
➡️ If welfare centres or marae are opened this information will be shared via council websites and social media

We’ll share another update tomorrow as more information becomes available. Preparing early makes a real difference.

For more preparedness tips, visit 👉 GetReady.govt.nz

Stay safe Northland, we’ve got this!

05/04/2026

That’s us prepare ano!

Please see our latest post for updated information as at 11 AM 7/04: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17MyRtgMoa/
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Kia ora Northland, MetService New Zealand has this morning (Monday 6 April) upgraded the existing Heavy Rain Watch to an Orange Warning ahead of the subtropical low that is expected to approach Northland overnight tonight.

Unfortunately, it is the north and east of the region that again face the potential of being the most affected.

During the 18 hours from 10pm tonight to 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday), 90 to 120 mm of rain is expected, especially in the north and east of the region. Peak rates may reach 25 to 40 mm/h in possible thunderstorms and localised downpours tomorrow morning.

The Strong Wind Watch remains in place, with east to northeast winds which may approach severe gale in exposed places during the period from 3am tomorrow to 4pm tomorrow.

The key advice is to use today to prepare your property and possessions (if you haven't already), and take extreme care on the roads tomorrow, particularly in the morning when there is the possibility of surface flooding, debris and slips on the roads. And don't take chances driving through floodwaters.

Keep up-to-date with MetService severe weather information at:
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

05/04/2026

⚠️ Severe Weather Update ⚠️

🟡 A Heavy Rain Watch has been issued for Northland (10pm Mon – 4 pm Tue) 🌧️
🟡A Strong Wind Watch has been issued for Northland (3am – 5pm Tue) 💨

A low may form north of the country on Monday and then move over the northern North Island during Tuesday, but there is still considerable uncertainty in the forecast of its depth and position. More watches and warnings possible in the coming days.

Keep up to date with the latest warnings: metservice.com/warnings

Civil Defence Northland NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Northland Northland Regional Council

29/03/2026

Morena Whanau

Mihi to all the emergency services for supporting our community.

Whanau if you are experiencing challenges resulting from the floods please reach out to socail service providers as one of us may be able to assist.

For whanau with no insurance the Far North District Council are receiving applications. link to apply below.

https://www.fndc.govt.nz/council/Latest-news/news-items/2026/march/mayoral-relief-fund-opens-following-severe-weather-event

E mihi ana

Far North District Council has opened a Mayoral Relief Fund to support homeowners and residents impacted by the 26 March heavy rain event. The fund, known as Te Tahua Toka Tū Moana, is now accepting applications from those affected across the district.

29/03/2026

29/03/2026

If you’re getting ready to start clean up today, remember to put your safety and the safety of your whānau first and don’t take any unnecessary risks.

Floodwater can contain sewage and other dangerous materials which can make your home unhealthy. So don't do anything that puts your safety at risk or causes more damage to your property.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company. Remember to take photos and videos of the damage and anything that needs to be thrown away before starting the clean-up, for insurance purposes.

You’ll need to clean, disinfect, and dry your house and everything in it. Wear protective clothing, a mask, gloves, goggles and sturdy footwear while you clean. Take out everything that is wet and that can be moved. Throw away anything that can’t be cleaned.

When things get wet for more than two days they usually get mouldy. Mould may make some people with asthma, allergies or other breathing problems sick.

For more information about what to do after flooding go to https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/floods

21/03/2026

Congrats from us here!

16/01/2026

Yehaa! Ngati Kahu Social and Health Services
Placed 3rd in the cooperate race at Waka AMA Nationals

16/01/2026

15/01/2026

NGA mihi nui e tau hou pakeha
Our roopu representing at the Waka AMA Nationals 2026’