State of Emergency Declared - Tairawhiti District

4 November 2021

Heavy rain is still falling across the Tairawhiti district, resulting in a Civil Defence declaring a state of emergency across the whole district.

Surface flooding around the district has closed several roads, and some residents have self-evacuated.

Federated Farmers President Toby Williams says with the ground already saturated, slips and rivers rising rapidly have been reported across the district. We are a resilient community, We have had reports of over 230mms and rivers rising up to four metres, and we still have high tide at 6pm to contend with – It will be a massive clean-up, and many farmers are shearing and weaning too”.

Federated Farmers have stood up an adverse events team, and are keen to hear from affected people.  “The situation is being closely monitored as river levels rise, and we urge people to get in touch directly with us, this is important so that we can get an accurate picture and organise help accordingly”. 

Federated Farmers adverse events team can be contacted at [email protected] 

"Road conditions have been changing by the hour, please drive to the conditions and only travel if you need to, and of course if you are in immediate danger contact emergency services”