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March 26, 2026
#weather: Heavy rain warnings raise landslip and flooding risks across Waikato
Waatea Team
Posted On March 26, 2026
Civil Defence Waikato is urging residents to remain vigilant as severe weather moves across the region, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and an increased risk of landslips and flash flooding over the next two days.
MetService has issued multiple watches and warnings covering Thursday and Friday, with Orange Heavy Rain Warnings in place for the Coromandel Peninsula, Hunua Range and parts of Bay of Plenty, including eastern Waikato catchments. There is also a high likelihood these could be escalated to Red Warnings as conditions intensify. A Heavy Rain Watch remains in place for the rest of the Waikato region, with the potential for further upgrades.
Authorities warn that saturated ground from earlier weather events in January and February has left parts of the region, particularly Coromandel, Hauraki, Waipā and Ōtorohanga, more vulnerable to slips and rapid surface flooding.
Civil Defence is highlighting the danger of landslides, which can occur suddenly and even after heavy rain has passed. Residents are being advised to stay alert for warning signs such as small slips or rock falls at the base of slopes, sinking ground, doors and windows becoming difficult to open, and visible cracks or bulging in land, roads, or structures. Tilting trees, fences, or retaining walls may also indicate ground movement.
People are being told to act quickly if any of these signs appear, including evacuating immediately if buildings are at risk.
Alongside the heavy rain, Strong Wind Watches have been issued across the Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato and Taupō districts, with the possibility of escalation to stronger warnings. Areas west of the Kaimai Range are expected to experience gale-force easterly winds, with conditions favourable for the phenomenon known as the Kaimai Buster, where winds intensify as they cross the range.
Residents are being urged to secure property, prepare for possible power outages, and stay up to date with official forecasts and advice.
Emergency management officials say the combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and already saturated ground creates the potential for significant impacts, particularly on Friday, with ongoing monitoring in place as conditions develop.
People are encouraged to familiarise themselves with landslide safety information and to be prepared to act quickly if conditions deteriorate.
Small slips, rock falls and sinking land, at the bottom of slopes. Sticking doors and window frames, which may mean the land is slowly moving under the building. Gaps where window frames are not fitting properly. Steps, decks and verandas, moving or tilting away from the rest of the building. New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces. Tilting trees, retaining walls, or fences.
Get out of the path of the landslide quickly. Evacuate if the building you are in is in danger.
FInd out what to do before, during and after a landslide at www.getready.govt.nz/landslidesRELATED NEWS
