Whatatutu Volunteer Fire Station

09/01/2026

We’re heating up — let’s stay safe together.

Here are some key tips from Get Ready NZ to help you and your whānau stay cool during hot weather:

💧 Stay cool & hydrated
Drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, and spend time in the shade or indoors where it’s cooler.

🏡 Keep your home cool
Close curtains or blinds to block out heat, insulate or draught-proof where possible, and use fans to circulate air. A cool shower can also help lower your body temperature.

👒 Protect yourself outdoors
Wear light, loose-fitting clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. New Zealand’s UV levels are strong — even on cooler days.

🐶 Look after pets and animals
Ensure animals have constant access to fresh water and shade. Bring pets inside during extreme heat if you can.

👶 Check in on vulnerable people
Older adults, babies, young children, and those with health conditions are more at risk. Keep in touch and help them stay cool and hydrated.

➡️Also
🔥 Fire risk is increasing
Hot, dry and windy conditions mean the fire danger is rising. One spark can be all it takes to start a fast-moving wildfire.
• 🔥 Postpone any burns you had planned for the next few days
• 🔥 Check old burn piles
• 🔥 Be prepared with water and take extra care when using spark- or heat-generating tools and equipment

Before any heat or spark-generating activity, check conditions at 👉 www.checkitsalright.nz

🔥 Extreme heat can affect anyone — preparation and awareness make a real difference.
Learn more at 👉 getready.govt.nz/emergency/heat

08/01/2026

As summer ☀️🥵feels like it has returned in force, this does pose an increased fire risk🔥
- The risk will be highest in the Canterbury, Marlborough, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti, and Northland districts.
- Urging people in these areas to take extra care this weekend
- 97 percent of wildfires in Aotearoa New Zealand are caused by people. We can’t control the fire risk, but we can control our actions
- If your weekend plans include any activities involving an outdoor fire or spark/heat generating activities such as using power tools and mowing the lawn, we’re asking you to consider postponing these activities
- Physically check any burn piles from the last few weeks are fully extinguished. If in doubt put more water 💦on it to make sure it’s fully extinguished 🧯ahead of these extreme conditions.
- In these conditions, all it takes is one spark or ember to start a wildfire that will get out of control quickly and be very difficult for our crews to control.
https://www.fireandemergency.nz/incidents-and-news/news-and-media/extreme-caution-needed-in-many-districts-as-fire-risk-spikes-over-coming-days/

07/01/2026

06/01/2026

🚒🔥Fire training Wednesday 7th January 2026. 6pm

If you’ve ever thought about joining the fire brigade, come down for a no-obligation chat and see what it’s all about.

04/01/2026

Whats your New Year’s Resolution?

New Year’s resolution idea:
✅Learn new skills
✅Be part of a strong team
✅Make a real difference

We’re looking for new volunteer firefighters.🚒🧑🏽‍🚒🧑🏻‍🚒👨🏽‍🚒
Think you might be up for it? Get in touch — come and have a chat with us down at the Fire Station each Wednesday at 6pm. Meet the crew, watch while we train.

Or

➡️

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

01/01/2026

UPDATE! (@10.20am Saturday)

MetService has slightly amended our warning to be for the 22 hours from noon today through to 10am tomorrow (Sunday) and to expect 110-170mm of rain, especially in the ranges.
Peak rates of 15-25mm/hr but 25-40mm/hr possible in localised downpours from this afternoon through to early Sunday morning. Thunderstorms are possible. Stay safe out there!

Things are moving fast whānau!
MetService has upgraded us to an ORANGE HEAVY RAIN 🌧️ WARNING for the 24 hours form 11am tomorrow (Saturday) through to 11am on Sunday. The 🌧️ warning covers all of Gisborne/Tairāwhiti (see map). MetService is forecasting 100-150mm of rain with peak rates of 25-40mm/hr on Saturday when thunderstorms ⛈️ could bring localised downpours. Expect peak rates of 15-25mm/hr after midnight on Saturday.

For all the latest info, keep an eye on our webpage 👇
https://www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz/

… and MetService 👇
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

Stay safe 🙏 out there whānau and take particular care if you are travelling. 🖤

31/12/2025

YELLOW HEAVY RAIN WATCH

Just when we thought the sun was here to stay whānau, we’ve got ourselves a YELLOW heavy rain watch for 12 hours from noon on Saturday through to midnight for Gisborne south of SH2. MetService are forecasting periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible for the area covering north of Napier to just south of Gisborne (see map). If thunderstorms to occur they may bring localised downpours with rainfall intensities of 25-40mm an hour.
Keep an eye on our website for more info 👇
https://www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz
… and MetService 👇
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

You know the drill guys – stay safe out there!

31/12/2025

🚒 Although we aren’t a busy volunteer station, call-out statistics are on the rise, we still need more volunteers from a crew of 4 to help us meet the demand.
➡️Could your New Year’s resolution be to join an awesome crew who’ll provide full training, ongoing support whilst giving back to your community?

29/12/2025

It’s wet out there whānau! 🌧️

Our region is getting a tad saturated, but we are ok and our team is keeping an eye on things . . . HOWEVER, please, be aware of the weather as we will continue to have more rain heading into the evening and early morning tomorrow.

We still have an ORANGE 🍊 heavy rain warning in place until 3am tomorrow(Tuesday) morning.

The river levels are being closely monitored and we will provide updates based on rainfall and weather forecasts heading into the early hours of tomorrow.

If you live or are camping ⛺️ near rivers or streams, exercise caution as streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips and difficult driving 🚗 conditions are also possible.

You know the drill! Make sure you are signed up to the river level alerts 👇
https://www.gdc.govt.nz/services/Do-it-online/join-it/subscribe-to-flood-warning-alerts

And keep an eye on our webpage too for the latest info 👇
https://www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz

MetService are saying the rain 🌧️ will ease off around Gisborne City by midnight however the rest if the region will still have pockets of rainfall through to 6am-8am before clearing. Those on tank water will appreciate the rain, however concert goers will need a raincoat this evening.

Whew 😮‍💨! Stay safe out there whānau!

28/12/2025

28/12/2025

Update 11:00am Monday 29 DEC

Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti
Period: 18hrs from 9:00am Mon to 3:00am Tue
Forecast: Expect 90 to 130 mm of rain, but 150 to 200 mm north of Tolaga Bay. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h, but possibly 25 to 35 mm/h north of Tolaga Bay and south of Gisborne City.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.
----------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE 8:30pm SUNDAY 28 DEC
No Change to period but change to expected rainfall amounts.
Details updated below.

HEAVY RAIN WARNING - ORANGE
Area: Gisborne/Tairawhiti
Period: 21hrs from 6:00am Mon to 3:00am Tue
Forecast: Expect 90 to 130 mm of rain, but 150 to 200 mm north of Tolaga Bay. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected late Monday morning and afternoon, but possibly 25 to 30 mm/h north of Tolaga Bay.
Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.


MetService New Zealand

For Updates and Maps please visit www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz