Among those who stepped in to help were volunteers from Predator-Free Waihī Beach. Surf Shack Eatery cafe and Victoria Lemon Transform Today gym surrounded by flood waters in Waihī Beach after a storm on January, 22, 2026. Metservice meteorologist Braydon White said Waihī Beach had 340mm of rain on Wednesday, an “absurd amount”. The Waihī Beach RSA supported 73 campground evacuees and the rest were at the Settler’s Lounge in the Te Puke War Memorial Hall. “Five rapid‑assessment teams are in the field, split between flood‑related building assessments in Waihī Beach and Athenree, and geotechnical assessments in slip‑affected areas."

Source: New Zealand Herald January 25, 2026 02:37 UTC