Wairarapa Hit By More Wild Weather

Thursday, 23 October 2025, 4:35 pm
Article: Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter

October 22, 2025

Residents are being advised to stay indoors and avoid travel as Wairarapa braces for its second hit of severe weather in less than a week. Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa District Councils have stepped up emergency planning amid an extreme wind warning for parts of Wairarapa for Thursday.

MetService issued the red wind warning for Wellington and Wairarapa south of Carterton from 8am to 6pm on Thursday. 

In a joint statement on Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the three councils confirmed they were setting up the Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response. 

FENZ was bringing extra resources into the region to add emergency response capacity, the statement said. Metservice has advised those affected to stay indoors or find ‘sturdy’ shelter away from trees, avoid travel and be ready for power and communication outages. Red warnings are only used for the most severe weather where significant impact and disruption is expected. 

The council spokesperson said those who could should prepare to work from home tomorrow and avoid unnecessary travel. South Wairarapa Libraries, the Customer Service Centre at Martinborough Library, the Carterton library and the Featherston Recycling Centre and Masterton District library will be closed. Carterton and South Wairarapa District Council roading teams through Fulton Hogan have agreed to limit work scheduled for tomorrow to free up staff and resources to be ready for emergency work. 

There is also an orange heavy rain warning in place for the Tararua Ranges, and an orange wind warning for Wairarapa north of Carterton and Tararua district. The warnings come as people are dealing with damage caused by high winds on Tuesday, when thousands lost power, schools and businesses closed, and fallen trees blocked roads. About 2,500 properties were still without power on Wednesday morning. Severe gale northwesterlies with damaging gusts of 140 km/h in exposed places are expected south of Carterton. 

Metservice warned of possible life threatening danger from flying items and falling trees. 

“Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply,” the advisory said. 

The wind warning means people should take steps to protect people, animals, and property. In some cases it means the advice of authorities and emergency services will need to be followed. The rain warning is in place from 10am to 8pm on Thursday with 70 to 100 mm expected, peaking in the afternoon and evening. 

Thunderstorms are also possible. The orange strong wind warning for Wairarapa north of Carterton is in place from 9am to 7pm. This area can expect severe gale northwesterlies with gusts of 130 km/h. There is a moderate chance of upgrading to a red warning. The orange warning for Tararua district is from 10am to 10pm. 

The spokesperson for the three Wairarapa councils urged people to prepare ahead of the wild weather. They warned there could be local road closures, slips, trees down or detours and people should check with council, NZTA Waka Kotahi or public transport providers before travelling. 

“Prepare your property and bring inside or secure items that can be picked up by strong winds e.g. trampolines, bins, bbqs. Avoid parks and recreation areas - broken limbs from trees may be hanging in trees and pose a real hazard,” the statement said. 

“Think about what you would do if there was no power and make a plan. If you rely on electricity for a medical device, reach out to your healthcare and electricity provider and arrange a back-up power supply or contingency plan.” SWDC rubbish and recycling service in Featherston and MDC rubbish and recycling will remain open but people are ask to secure bins and bags. 

Council websites and social media will be regularly updated, alongside WREMO channels. 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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