Key Takeaways:
- Severe weather has caused extensive damage to houses, properties, public land, and roads in the Western Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.
- Eight properties have been red-stickered, and several others have been issued yellow placards due to damage or risks.
- Many parks, beaches, and public spaces are closed or have restricted access due to landslides, flooding, and fallen trees.
- Residents and visitors are advised to exercise caution when traveling, swimming, or engaging in outdoor activities.
- Road closures and disruptions are expected to continue, and people are urged to stay informed and plan their routes carefully.
Introduction to the Severe Weather Event
The Western Bay of Plenty and Coromandel regions are still reeling from the effects of severe weather that hit the area. Flooding and landslides have caused significant damage to houses, properties, public land, and roads, resulting in many closures during the long weekend. A strong wind watch was in place for the Bay of Plenty, and showers were forecast over the weekend, exacerbating the already unstable ground conditions. The situation is being closely monitored by emergency services, who are working to assess and respond to the damage.
Assessing the Damage to Properties
Eight properties have been red-stickered after suffering slip or flood damage in the Western Bay of Plenty, with six located in the Welcome Bay area and two in mokoroa. A red placard indicates that a building is unsafe to enter, while a yellow placard indicates restricted access due to moderate damage or risks such as unstable ground or adjacent slips. Yellow placards have been issued to a property in the Welcome Bay area and two in Katikati. Tauranga City Council emergency management duty controller Gareth Wallis said that properties in Welcome Bay, Gate Pā, Bethlehem, and tūmoetai had received rapid assessments, and this work was ongoing. These assessments mainly focused on buildings with landslip risks, and two yellow placards have been issued in Gate Pa, one in Bellevue, and one in tūmoetai.
Impact on Parks and Public Spaces
Many parks and public spaces have been affected by the severe weather, with several closures and restrictions in place. Mauao is closed until further notice due to large slips that have made the area unsafe, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park has over a dozen slips, blocking vehicle and pedestrian access and damaging tracks. The slips remain active, and there is an ongoing risk to public safety. Mount Drury is closed as a precautionary measure while the Tauranga City Council assesses any potential risks, and the area, including the playground, will be fenced off while conditions are monitored. The playground will remain closed at least through the long weekend.
Beach Safety and Restrictions
Beachgoers are being warned to exercise caution when swimming or engaging in water activities due to the presence of debris, including logs and sticks, in the water. Surf Lifesaving NZ eastern region manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell advised people to look out for red and yellow flags and to avoid playing in logs, especially in the shallows. The main beach at Mount Maunganui is restricted, and lifeguard patrols will continue as normal, with people advised to swim between the flags at Tay St instead. At Pāpāmoa, the water is murky and full of silt, logs, and sticks, and a man was injured while trying to pick up rubbish at the water’s edge.
Campsites and Walking Tracks
The Department of Conservation (DoC) is urging holidaymakers to check their destinations and choose safe options, as emergency services have enough on their plates. DoC staff are still checking that some popular locations are safe after the severe weather, and visitors should be alert to the possibility of landslides, washouts, or downed trees when using open tracks. Several campsites, including the Welcome Bay and Waihī Beach NZMCA motorhome parks and Waihī Beach Tasman Holiday Park, are closed, along with Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. The Waikareao Estuary Walkway (Daisy Hardwick) is also closed, and McLarens Falls Park and manawa Falls are partially closed while crews complete risk assessments and remove fallen trees.
Road Closures and Disruptions
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Bay of Plenty system manager Sandra King said that roading crews are working to clear slips and reopen vital transport links. However, the immediate focus has been on getting roads open again, and the ground will remain sodden and susceptible to movement, potholes, landslides, overslips, and underslips over the coming days and weeks. King urged people to remain extremely careful and to stay informed about road closures and disruptions. State highways that are still closed include several major routes, and people are advised to plan their routes carefully and to check for updates before traveling.