Auckland, Northland lashed by heavy rain and winds as state of emergency declared in Tasman

A powerful weather system has brought torrential rain and gale-force winds to New Zealand’s upper North Island and northern South Island, causing widespread alerts and a State of Emergency in Tasman.

Tasman Mayor Tim King declared a precautionary State of Emergency on July 11, at 8:00 am NZST, as heavy rains continue to batter the region already reeling from June’s severe flooding.

New Zealand’s MetService has issued a Red Warning for areas southeast of Motueka, with 80–120 mm of additional rain forecast. Up to 180 mm is expected in parts of Tasman, Nelson, and Marlborough, northwest of the Awatere Valley.


Mayor King said the declaration ensures a swift response if evacuations or rescues become necessary: “It’s about being prepared to protect people and property.”

Severe rainfall across the North Island

MetService has placed Orange Heavy Rain Warnings on multiple regions, including Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel, Waikato, Rotorua, and Bay of Plenty west of Kawerau.

The warnings are in effect from 6:00 am today until 3:00 am tomorrow, July 12, with 60–140mm of rainfall expected.

Strong wind watches are also active in Northland and Auckland (2:00 pm – 9:00 pm), where gusts of up to 100 km/h have already been recorded near the Harbour Bridge.

The heaviest rainfall in Auckland is forecast for the evening rush hour (5:00–8:00 pm), with possible thunderstorms between 7:00–10:00 pm.

Central and Lower North Island Braced

Taranaki is under three active alerts, including a Heavy Rain Watch for northern areas until 11:00 pm and an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for the mountain. Winds of 120 km/h are predicted south of Mt Taranaki from 11:00 am.

Meanwhile, heavy rain watches and strong wind warnings have been issued for Taihape and Whanganui from 2:00 pm.

Civil defence urges early evacuation

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence issued an Emergency Mobile Alert around 8:25 a.m. urging residents who were evacuated during the previous floods or those in vulnerable areas to leave immediately before conditions worsen.

Evacuation is advised for:

• Motueka River Valley (Tapawera to Riwaka)
  
  
• Wakefield to Brightwater (Wai-iti and Pitfure Rivers)
  
  
• Low-lying areas of Moutere Valley
  
  

Civil Defence Centres have been activated in:

• Ngatimoti School (open 10:00 am Friday – 12:00 pm Saturday)
  
  
• Riwaka Hall (10:00 am – 12:00 pm Saturday)
  
  
• Tapawera Community Centre (10:00 am – 12:00 pm Saturday)
  
  
• Wakefield Worship Centre (10:30 am – 6:00 pm Friday)
  
  

Mayor Nick Smith of Nelson noted the ongoing strain: “This rainfall and disruption is relentless and tiring... but we just need to bear with it, make sensible judgments, and support each other.”