A slip closed the Mangamuka Gorge in both directions during heavy rain on Friday. Photo / Pai Cunningham
A slip closed the Mangamuka Gorge in both directions during heavy rain on Friday. Photo / Pai Cunningham
A large slip has closed the Mangamuka Gorge in both directions this afternoon as heavy rain continued to lash Northland.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) announced the road closure from State Highway 1 Kaitāia to Ōkaihau on its website about 3pm, advising travellers to either delay theirjourneys or detour via SH10, although patches of flooding on that route north and south of Kerikeri have also been reported. Heavy transport was told to detour through Broadwood.
NZTA said it did not know how long it would take to clear the slip.
On Paranui Rd, inland from Taipa, a motorist and two dogs were rescued after their vehicle became trapped in waist-deep floodwaters just before 4pm.
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania said people should ideally stay home in the face of the weather.
He said the Kaeo River webcam showed water levels rising as darkness fell and high tide was set to arrive about 8.30pm.
Northland Civil Defence said many of the region’s rivers were running high this afternoon.
Regional council figures showed parts of Northland had received more than 50mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours.
Northland Civil Defence chairwoman Kelly Stratford said the Waitangi River was high, threatening the viability of the SH10 detour.
The council was monitoring local roads and conditions.
Far North District Council staff were dealing with slips that had not closed access and trees across roads, making them safe as required.
Stratford said Northland was increasingly having to deal with severe weather situations.
The current situation with SH1 over the Mangamukas being closed and the alternate NZTA-recommended SH10 diversion route becoming vulnerable highlighted the need for the Government to turn the Far North’s western Broadwood diversion for the Mangamukas into a state highway, she said.
Stratford said people needed to stay home because flooding was affecting roads, the pending high tide and darkness.
There was also surface flooding at Pakarakara and on the Haruru Falls to Paihia.
Stratford said a number of workers had decided to work from home today, given the weather.
Today’s weather also resulted in power outages to about 900 Top Energy customers in Northland.
At 5.15pm, three power outages were still listed on Top Energy’s website. These included an outage affecting 45 customers on the Rangiahua feeder, reported at 5.05pm, with restoration expected by 8pm. The cause was identified as tree contact.
An earlier outage reported at 12.37pm around Ōruru was also still unresolved. It was affecting 35 customers, with the cause under investigation and restoration not expected until 2pm on Saturday.
Meanwhile, 22 customers remained without power northeast of Kāeo after a line fault reported at 11.35am when a landslip caused trees to topple on Whangaroa Rd, taking electrical lines with it.
A restoration time had yet to be confirmed. The outage originally affected 472 customers with power restored to most by 2.30pm.
A landslide caused trees to fall across Whangaroa Rd this morning, taking power lines with it and causing an outage for about 500 Top Energy customers. Photo / Top Energy
Other power outages earlier in the day included one southwest of Pukenui, near Houhora Harbour, where 69 customers lost power at 11.16am and appeared to have been restored by 2pm; around the Waimate North area, 304 customers were affected by an outage reported at 1.26pm that was restored later in the day.
Residents within affected areas are advised to treat all lines as live.
Northland has been on high alert today as a strong northerly weather system swept across New Zealand, bringing heavy rain and potentially severe winds to the region.
MetService has issued a strong wind watch for Northland, effective from 2pm to 9pm today. Northerly winds may approach severe gale strength (75-85km/h) in exposed areas, with a moderate chance of the watch being upgraded to a full warning.
An orange heavy rain watch is in place until 10pm today.
Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group spokesman Zachary Woods said the region had already experienced significant rainfall over the past 24 hours, particularly along the east corridor, from Taipa in the north to Bay of Islands in the south. This had led to elevated river levels, raising concerns about further flooding as the weather system intensified.
“The heaviest rainfall is forecast for this afternoon.
“Given the already saturated ground, additional rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. There is also a risk of surface flooding, slips and road closures, and driving conditions may become hazardous.”
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as conditions are expected to deteriorate. People are advised to secure loose items and prepare for possible power outages.
Emergency services are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.
Northlanders are encouraged to stay informed, avoid unnecessary travel, and ensure they have essential supplies at home and in their vehicles.
Heavy rain has been affecting parts of the Far North today. Photo / Kelly Stratford
Councils are asking the public to report any fallen trees, debris, flooding or blocked drains on roads or public property to help maintain safety and accessibility.
