Hawke’s Bay weather safety: Mohaka River monitoring system stolen during Cyclone Vaianu

Hawke's Bay Regional Council's Mohaka River monitoring equipment was stolen during Cyclone Vaianu on April 12, between 10pm and 11pm. Photo / Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

The theft of a river water monitoring system during Cyclone Vaianu is being described as “unbelievable and completely unacceptable”.

The system belonged to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and was stolen from the Mohaka River monitoring site at Raupunga.

The site was broken into between 10pm and 11pm on April 12.

The discovery was made when the system stopped communicating with the council’s wider monitoring network during the cyclone, prompting staff to investigate.

The Mohaka River site forms part of the council’s regional monitoring network, which tracks river levels, flow rates and rainfall across the region.

Council said the information it provides is critical during significant weather events to help assess river behaviours, flood risk and potential impacts on the community.

Regional council chairwoman Sophie Siers said the theft was “unbelievable and completely unacceptable”.

“Stealing essential monitoring equipment during a cyclone directly undermines our ability to keep communities safe.

“After what Hawke’s Bay went through during Cyclone Gabrielle, anyone involved in this should be ashamed.

“This isn’t just theft, it’s putting lives at risk.”

She said replacing the system will be expensive, and the council is now assessing options to restore monitoring for that part of the river.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police and quote the file number 260415/0987.