State of emergency declared in Tairāwhiti
Published on 23 June 2023.
Below is an update from Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the state of emergency that was declared in Tairāwhiti on 22 June due to heavy rain and flooding. You can find resources on looking after animals during floods on our website.
An Animal Welfare Emergency Management (AWEM) staff member has been deployed to the area. No animal welfare concerns have been identified as of yet.
A red rain warning is in place for Tairāwhiti-Gisborne until noon on Sunday 25 June. The forecast rainfall is 200-300mm for areas north of Tolaga Bay, but widespread heavy rainfall is expected across the region and large totals could occur further south of the forecast. The peak intensities could reach 15-25mm an hour.
The persistent heavy rain on 22 June caused the Waipaoa, Hikuwai and Te Arai river catchments to rise. The Waipaoa river reached over 7.5m which initiated the evacuation of Te Karaka residents. The rivers have dropped overnight but are expected to rise again this evening.
Two urban Civil Defence Centres (CDCs) have been opened in Gisborne City:
- House of Breakthrough (Lytton West)
- Te Poho O Rawiri Marae (Kaiti)
Five rural Community Led Centres (CLCs) have been activated:
- Te Karaka Area School
- Rangimarie Marae (Matawai)
- Mangatu Marae (Whatatutu)
- Ohaka Marae (Manutuke)
- Tuatini Marae (Tokomaru Bay)
We are also continuing to monitor the situation in Hawkes Bay, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and the top of the South Island.
