As the day progresses, we’re better able to assess the damage to the roading network and other council assets and services in Thames-Coromandel District.

Help available in Tairua

Residents displaced from Mt Paku in Tairua who need a place to go can go to our Community-Led Centre at Tairua Library at 2 Manaia Road. Or email welfare@cdthames.org.nz.

Roads reopened

The following roads have been opened since the last update:

• Tuateawa Rd – accessible via Colville Rd and Port Charles Rd only
• Waikawau Beach Rd – Open only via Colville Rd and Port Charles Rd
• Sailors Grave Rd – Open only for residents and emergency services
• Hot Water Beach Rd – Open to 4WD vehicles only. Multiple hazards going into Hahei and Cooks beach. Only accessible to residents and emergency services. Surface flooding at intersection with SH25

PLEASE NOTE: all roads that are now open after being previously closed have multiple unmarked hazards throughout the lengths. These roads are only open to residents and emergency services.

The below 9 roads remain closed:

• Port Jackson Road
• Carey Road-Slip
• Matapaua Bay Rd
• The 309 Road - Outside Peninsula Quarry (Whitianga Side)
• Otamakite Road
• Kauaeranga Valley Road - First Ford
• Opoutere Road - Start of Opoutere Road
• Wentworth Valley Road - Ford
• Port Charles Road Slip - Closed after intersection with Waikawau Beach Rd

Essential travel only

The roading network has been badly affected, with multiple slips, mostly across the eastern and northern parts of the district.

Please continue to avoid all but essential travel. More slips over the coming days are expected.

Crews are out on behalf of both TCDC and NZTA Waka Kotahi are working to clear slips, assess any damage that’s revealed and to access isolated communities.

Whitianga is now accessible via the Tapu-Coroglen Road. Tairua and Pāuanui are still isolated by slips on SH25 to the north of town, on SH25A and on SH25 north of Whangamatā. NZTA is working on clearing debris and assessing damage to SH25A - check NZTA’s journey planner for the latest updates.

Campgrounds closed in Northern Coromandel

Department of Conservation campgrounds in northern Coromandel have been closed. The department will be working with campers who booked to arrange refunds. It will also be inspecting camping sites once it is safe to do so.

Already, there are reports of damage to key infrastructure that need attention.

The department asks people to avoid any unnecessary travel throughout the peninsula while work to repair sites and roads is being carried out.

Tairua residents – please conserve water

Tairua is under a Level 5 Total Watering Ban water restriction because the power supply for the main water intakes has been damaged by fallen trees. Reservoir levels have fallen as a result. Please conserve water.

Every effort is being made to clear vehicle access to Tairua so water services can be restored. We hope to have an update on this situation soon.

What if my property has been impacted by the storm?

If your property and contents have been impacted by the storm please contact your insurance company in the first instance regarding making a claim for any repairs, damage, and disposal of storm related waste.

For customers that do not have insurance, or perhaps have other questions regarding waste related questions please call our customer services team on 07 868 0200

We hope to reopen a few of refuse and recycling transfer station sites tomorrow and we’ll keep this page updated as soon as we know more on this.

Can people still go swimming?

After heavy rainfall, unknown debris and wastewater may enter the ocean, so it’s best to avoid swimming during this time. The safest option is to wait at least three days before returning to the sea. For estuaries, we recommend waiting up to seven days, or until TCDC issues an allclear notice following the completion of waterquality testing.

In addition, there has been a wastewater discharge from the wastewater treatment plant into the Ngarahutunoa Stream at Whitianga. Because this water is contaminated, people should not swim at the beach or in surrounding areas until further notice.

Check out the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website, which provides uptodate water quality results from more than 1,000 sites across New Zealand.

Continue to check:

Our TCDC website for updates on roads and services.

Our TCDC Facebook page for council information.

NZTA Waka Kotahi for State Highway information.

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