"Motorists are advised to take extra and avoid travel due to flooding and slips between Whangaruru and Helena Bay." MetService forecasters issued a heavy rain warning for Northland through to midday Sunday, with a warning the rain was expected to continue to accumulate after flooding overnight. Whangārei District Council said heavy rain and surface flooding had closed roads, isolating some communities. A slip in Helena Bay had washed on to the road to Rawhiti, and flooding had also hit Whakapara and Punaruku. Northpower said there were power outages for Helena Bay, Ōakura, Punaruku, and the Whangaruru Peninsula, and about 750 households appeared to be affected.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 18, 2026 15:01 UTC