Northland is still open for the long weekend, but some communities suffered severe storm damage, particularly in the Whangaruru area and Ōakura (pictured). Photo / Ngatiwai Trust Board
Road crews, residents and businesses are continuing to mop up the mess from days of torrential rain in Northland, with some urging visitors to stay away this long weekend.
While the Auckland Anniversary/Northland Anniversary weekend won’t be a complete washout, with all state highways open, numerous local roads are still closed, along with some campgrounds and public facilities.
Motorists are being urged to use extreme caution when driving on Northland roads while workers clear them, especially along the east coast.
MetService has warned that more rain, wind and some thunderstorms were expected this weekend as a front moves through.
Bland Bay Camp Ground is urging holidaymakers to stay away altogether.
Manager Michael Pita said there were major slips both ways along Whangaruru North Rd.
Pita, who moved his family to the local marae for shelter, cancelled all bookings for the long weekend and closed the camp until further notice.
The last of the campers made it out on Monday, he said.
“Our roads and resources are already under extreme pressure ... and allowing more people into the area will only add more pressure.
“We’re just telling everyone to stay home until we figure out how our infrastructure is to get in and out of here.
“We’re all good ... but we don’t need that extra stress of any holidaymakers being in the area unnecessarily at this stage.”
Relentless downpours have wreaked havoc on the region, with numerous power outages, fallen trees, slips, evacuations, and road closures.
Areas worst hit included Ngunguru, Helena Bay, Ōakura, Punaruku and Whangaruru, with no road access to those communities.
Elliot Bay Campground manager Steve Fray said more slips came down on Wednesday night and road workers were out this morning clearing them.
Locals – including Fray – were helping where they can, he said.
While the bridge hadn’t been reinstated at Bland Bay and there was still damage to roads south of Elliot Bay, visitors could travel via the Ōpua ferry to the Russell side, he said.
“For people who want to come camping, we’re open.
“By the weekend the Russell side will be good as gold, a lot of progress is being made.
“They’re moving heaven and earth. I give a lot of credit to the road crews; they’ve been incredible.”
Further north, Taupō Bay Holiday Park manager Cora Urlich said while there was “plenty of damage” to the property and work needed to be done, the campsite was open for business this weekend.
The damage was “pretty typical”, being a creek-side campsite, she said.
“The power is out all day today and there is no running water.
“The gravel is on the grass.
“It’s easy to recover from; we’ve got systems in place to make this easier to deal with.
“We’re dealing with people that we already have bookings for – but we’re not encouraging people to come when the weather’s bad.”
Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leah McKerrow said businesses, particularly those in Whangārei, had been “taking steps to make sure they are open”.
Council road crews were “legends” for all their hard work ensuring roads were cleared quickly, she said.
“Businesses very much still want people to come.
“It’s still warm and it’s still beautiful and we encourage people to take their long weekend up here.
“But people need to drive carefully, you just can’t barrel along a coast road, because there may well be instability.
“These are not highways so just be cautious and patient.”
Dozens of roads have been closed because of flooding, slips, washed out bridges, and fallen trees.
As of Thursday afternoon, all state highways were open, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said.
SH10 at Kāeo had reopened after significant flooding, meaning the detour via SH1 through the Mangamuka Gorge was no longer needed.
The Mangamuka Gorge held up well during the weather event, as did the Brynderwyns, which were both open, though one slip forced it down to one lane for a while.
In the Far North, three local roads are closed due to slips, washouts or other obstructions, including Rāwhiti Rd, Russell-Whakapara Rd and Waikare Rd.
Another 23 roads are down to one lane or are only accessible by four-wheel-drive.
In Whangārei, nine roads are closed including Clemo Rd, Matapōuri Rd, Otonga-Marua Rd, Russell Rd, Rāwhiti Rd and South Rd, and caution is advised on another 30 roads.
In Kaipara, Tara Rd in Mangawhai is closed, while several others that flooded are passable, including Batley Rd and Finlayson Brook Rd in Maungatūroto, and Brown and Grove roads in Mangawhai.
Several Department of Conservation (DoC) sites across Northland are closed, including the Cape Brett Track in the Bay of Islands, the Pūriri Bay and Waikahoa Bay campsites in Whangārei, and the Tane Mahuta walk in the Waipoua Forest.
DoC acting director regional operations Phelan Pirrie urged people to check the department’s website for the latest warnings and closures before heading out.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said more rain and wind were on the way for Te Tai Tokerau.
Some showers were expected from Friday, with rain and strong winds on Saturday and Sunday.
A possible thunderstorm on Saturday “could throw a spanner in the works”, she said, including “intense bursts of rain”.
Monday would still be windy but would be easing, she said.
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.