Severe weather on East Coast
A state of emergency has been declared for locations on the East Coast. Check out this morning's breaking news from Stuff.co.nz.
- Severe flooding hits the Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay areas of Tairāwhiti.
- Two contractors are trapped near Anaura Bay, and a rescue operation is underway.
- Tairāwhiti Civil Defence has ordered the evacuation of residents in the Mangatuna area north of Gisborne.
- The Hikuwai River reached 12.8 metres after 3am, a level higher than in flooding in 2020.
- State Highway 35 from Gisborne to Ōpōtiki, is closed because of flooding, slips and washouts.
- Power is out for around 755 customers in the Tokomaru Bay area.
- There are multiple slips in Tolaga Bay Gorge, with flooding across the road making it suitable only for four-wheel drives.
- Gisborne Civil Defence manager Ben Green told RNZ the rainfall overnight was almost "biblical".
- At least seven households have been evacuated.
- Rainfall is still heavy and there is more to come across the region, potentially another 150mm today.
- Parts of Bay of Plenty could also expect more than 200mm of rain to fall today.
For further information on the evolving situation, click here.
Time to Tickle Your Thinker 🧠
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
-
9.5% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
-
43.4% I want to be able to choose.
-
47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Loading…
