Ngongotahā Stream pictured during the red warning rain event. Photo / Megan Wilson
A state of emergency declaration for Rotorua today was “out of my hands”, the mayor says.
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management made the declaration for the wider region just before 2.30pm, saying it had received support from the local mayors for this step.
“This is a precautionary approach to ensure controllers and others with extraordinary powers can respond quickly and efficiently, to deliver actions that will help keep people safe during a response,” the group’s statement said.
Actions could include closing roads or public places, undertaking works, removing or securing dangerous structures and material, and providing first aid, food or shelter.
“You can still go about your daily business under a state of local emergency, but make sure you listen to and follow any instructions from civil defence and emergency services.”
A MetService red warning – the first of 2026 – for heavy rain was issued for Bay of Plenty for the 24 hours from 9am today to 9am tomorrow.
Up to 240mm of rain was expected during that period, on top of what had already accumulated.
The warning said dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and slips could put lives at risk, and conditions could disrupt travel and isolate communities.
About 22mm of rain had fallen in the 24 hours to 2pm in Rotorua.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said this afternoon she was “very confident” that Rotorua “will be fine”.
“The heavy rainfall we were expecting seems to have eased up and we are anticipating that the weather will get better. So there’s no cause of concern for Rotorua.”
She said coastal areas of Bay of Plenty were expected to be more impacted, with a high risk of slips and potential isolation of communities if that happened.
Tapsell said the declaration of a state of emergency was “out of my hands”.
“We need to be extremely cautious about declaring a state of emergency.
“They are used to help with special powers such as ensuring we can close roads, evacuating people and undertaking urgent works.”
She said four councils in the region had been considering declaring a state of emergency.
“Because of that, a decision was then made to make this a regional state of emergency.”
Tapsell encouraged caution on the roads as many residents travelled for work and it was the end of the summer holidays.
She encouraged people to keep updated on the weather and road closures.
Rotorua Lakes Council said it has activated its emergency operation centre in accordance with the local state of emergency declared for Bay of Plenty.
A 3pm statement said that while the state emergency included Rotorua, coastal areas of the Bay of Plenty were expected to get the worst of the weather.
“So far, the rain forecast for Rotorua has remained steady but heavy, localised downfalls are possible, and people should be on alert.“
The emergency operation centre would continue to monitor the local situation, respond to any weather-related issues and provide support to the wider region.
People could report non-emergency weather-related matters to the council by calling 07 3484199. The line was open 24/7.
Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said peak intensities were due “through the hours of darkness into Thursday morning” for Bay of Plenty.
Ferris said rain rates have been up to around the 15mm per hour mark so far, but from this evening, there is a risk of downpours, during which areas could reach 40mm/h.
He said strong easterly winds, likely more noticeable around western areas, were also forecast.
Whakatāne Mayor Nándor Tánczos said he was “totally in support” of declaring a state of local emergency.
“It’s a very dynamic situation, so we’re really trying to monitor and stay on top of the information.”
He said the weather in Whakatāne was drizzly and overcast and expected it to start ramping up this afternoon.
“People should take it really seriously. Yes, it’s only light rain, drizzling at the moment, but we’re confident that we’re going to get pretty intense wind and rain dropping from around midnight.”
Tánczos said it was important to be proactive and take a “cautious approach” to these things.
“We’d rather be prepared and it not be as bad as we thought than to be taken by surprise by something that causes real problems.”
Bay of Plenty Regional Council has issued a pre-emptive warning about a controlled spill from Matahina Dam overnight.
“As a result of heavy rain, Manawa Energy will be required to spill a controlled amount of water from Matahina Dam overnight tonight.”
The council advised that stock on low-lying land beside the Rangitāiki River and particularly in areas upstream from Te Teko be moved to higher ground, due to a risk of flooding.
The warning did not apply to areas protected by stopbanks and the council stressed that there was no risk of flooding in Edgecumbe or the Rangitāiki Plains area.
The council’s duty flood manager was monitoring river levels throughout the event.
An emergency alert has been sent out across the Bay of Plenty as a red rain warning, the first for 2026, is in place for Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua.
In the 24 hours from 9am on Wednesday to 9am on Thursday, a further 180mm to 240mm of rain is expected on top of what has already fallen.
Peak rates of between 25mm/h and 40mm/h could be expected in downpours from Wednesday evening, MetService warned.
A Rotorua Lakes Council statement said Rotorua might get some heavy rainfall that could cause surface flooding and slips on roads.
Rotorua Lakes Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council staff were keeping a close eye on the situation and doing the usual preparations, it said.
The council advised people to be prepared by checking gutters and drains to avoid any leaks or overflows if safe to do so.
It also advised people to avoid low-lying areas or waterways because water could rise rapidly during heavy rain, avoid any unnecessary travel and drive to the conditions if travel was necessary.
“Be extra cautious and alert for the likes of treefalls and slips on roads.”
In the alert from the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management team at 11.47am, people were advised to act quickly if they saw rising floodwaters.
“Do not try to walk, play, swim or drive in floodwater.
“Avoid all non-essential travel. Bring pets indoors and move livestock to high ground where possible.”
People were also advised to be prepared to evacuate.
“Keep a bag close. If you are in immediate danger, call 111.”
A Katikati resident said his workplace, which has many staff travelling in vehicles across the Bay of Plenty, had sent all staff home effective immediately.
They were asked “to go home and work from there as a precaution”.
The current weather was being driven by a strong and extremely humid northeasterly flow that precedes a tropical low forecast to approach New Zealand from the north today, MetService said.
“The rain would ease from the west after dawn on Thursday – eastern areas might hold on to some showers past midday, but most places look to dry out as wind gradually turns around to the west,” Ferris said.
“Friday has blustery westerly winds, risk of showers peppering the region, more likely around evening, which marks the arrival of some cooler air for the weekend.”
MetService said conditions would disrupt travel, make some roads impassable, and isolate communities.
A Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group representative said the region could expect between 180mm and 240mm of rain, with peak rates of 25mm/h to 35mm/h.
“We know this news might be worrisome, especially to those districts who have experienced significant rainfall in the last few weeks.
“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly and surface flooding is possible, so if you see rising water, do not wait for official warnings – head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater. Never try to walk, play, swim or drive in floodwater.”
In Rotorua, a Western Rd resident who didn’t want to be named said the Ngongotahā Stream was looking fine as of mid-morning Wednesday and should have a way to go before there was a risk of flooding.
But she said locals would be keeping a close eye on it, given the red warning and its past tendency to rise quickly.
The resident said one of the issues in some areas of Ngongotahā, with properties that backed on to the stream, was wastewater grills and pipes blocking up and flooding, so it would be wise for those locals to check those and clean them out if necessary.
Lee-Ann Allerby, whose property borders the stream, said she was sitting tight at the moment and keeping a close eye on the stream.
During previous weather events, the stream has burst its banks and come dangerously close to flooding the Allerbys’ property.
Meanwhile, State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge remained closed.
Roading crews working to clear around 40 slips along the highway have paused work today.
“With weather set to worsen over the day, crews will take a pause, rest, and allow the weather to pass before reassessing the site and resuming clearing work once safe to do so,” NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said in a statement.
“SH35 remains open; however, it is not a reliable detour route while weather is severe.”
SH2 south of Gisborne and SH5 remained open if people must travel.
Additional crews were on standby to respond to any incidents on the detour routes.
NZTA’s SH2 Waioweka Gorge response and recovery controller Rob Service said keeping roading crews safe was paramount.
”This will allow crews to rest and return safely on Friday to continue recovery efforts over the long weekend.”
Crews have been working from both ends of the SH2 Waioweka Gorge, because there has been no safe access through the central section since the slips last week.
Damage was extensive, and the full condition of the road and underlying structures remained uncertain until debris could be safely cleared.
“Our contractors are progressing well and continuing to push forward on what is a very large and complex task,” Service said in a statement.
“Our focus remains on restoring at least one lane of access. We do not yet know what this will look like or when it will be possible, but we will share updates as soon as we can.”