#regional: Northland begins recovery as floodwaters recede, but state of emergency remains

Northland is beginning to emerge from days of severe weather, but the region remains under a state of emergency as communities assess the damage and authorities warn that risks are still present.

MP Huhana Lyndon says the situation has been challenging for many whānau, with evacuations carried out in flood-affected areas and multiple rescues required after people became trapped in vehicles in rising waters. The severe conditions have left parts of the upper North Island cut off, with several highways closed and access severely limited.

Both the Whangārei District Council and Far North District Council have declared states of emergency, as emergency services and local authorities continue to respond to the aftermath of the storm. A red heavy rain warning remains in place for Northland, with forecasters warning the most intense downpours are expected later today.

While conditions have begun to ease in some areas, the impact of the storm is still being felt. The Kāeo River has dropped significantly overnight and is now well below the level that threatened State Highway 10, offering some relief for that key route. However, many other highways across Northland remain closed, with roads still submerged in several areas.

In Kerikeri, where more than 220 millimetres of rain fell yesterday, skies have cleared and little rainfall has been recorded since last night. Despite the improving weather, authorities are urging residents to remain cautious, with many roads still unsafe and travel restrictions in place.

Hundreds of homes and businesses in the Far North remain without power. As of early this morning, around 450 properties were still affected, with the largest outage impacting approximately 200 homes on the Purerua Peninsula in the Bay of Islands. In South Hokianga’s Wekaweka Valley, 87 homes have been without electricity since midweek.

There are currently no reported power outages in the Whangārei or Kaipara districts, but crews are continuing to work across affected areas to restore services and assess damage.

Elsewhere, severe weather warnings remain in place across the country. A heavy rain warning is active for Taranaki Maunga until midday Friday, while orange rain and strong wind warnings cover parts of both the North and South Islands as the system moves south.

Lyndon is urging people across Te Tai Tokerau to prioritise safety, stay informed, and follow advice from local authorities as recovery efforts continue.