Latest update - Thursday 22 January 2026
We are aware of multiple hazards caused by the weather across the district. Please stay indoors and off the roads until conditions improve.
Due to the high winds we are unable to put up warning signs or secure many of the hazards.
Please report non-urgent issues via Antenno, give us a call if it is urgent and always call 111 in an emergency.
A huge thank you to our emergency services for their ongoing work and response support. Thank you for your patience and please continue to take care on the roads if you need to travel.
For Council matters call us on 0800 746 467
Other avenues of help are:
- No-barriers access to free support services when you need it, visit heretohelpu.nz or call 0800 868 0273
- Rural Support Trust, visit rural-support.org.nz or call 0800 787 254
Road closures/hazards
- Mace Road - flooding, to be reassessed 23 January 2026
- Armadale Road - west of bridge - monitoring water levels
- Te Aroha-Gordon Road - now open
- Te Kawana Road - powerlines/trees
- Wardville Road - between SH27 and Alexandra Road - powerlines/trees
- 12 Campbell Street, Waihou - tree blocking road, due to open 5pm
- Rawhiti Road/SH26 - tree blocking road (Higgins)
- 52 Ward Street, Waharoa - tree blocking road (KVS onsite)
- Te Aroha footbridge closed
- Centennial Drive, Matamata - large tree, requires crane to remove - closure until further notice
Water
Te Aroha - please reduce wastewater use
We’re asking Te Aroha residents to reduce wastewater use for now. A power outage is affecting the wastewater treatment plant, which means the system can’t operate as normal.
Please keep your household wastewater to a minimum. This includes limiting the use of:
- washing machines
- dishwashers
- showers and baths, where possible
We’ll let you know as soon as things are back to normal.
✅ Waharoa - water has now been restored.
Power
We are aware that many properties in Manawaru, Matamata, Morrinsville, Tahuna and Te Aroha are without power. Please check the PowerCo outages webpage for updates.
Walking tracks
Te Aroha walk bridge is temporarily closed.
Walkways, parks and reserves closed
- Firth Tower walkway
- Hetana Street
- Tom Grant Drive
- Tower Road walkway/cycl trail
- Centennial Drive - large tree, will need crane to remove, avoid until fruther notice
- Neil Algar Reserve
- Hauraki Rail Trail - Matamata end closed
Please avoid all walking tracks
The storm brought down a number of trees across our parks and reserves. Many walking tracks may be blocked or unsafe.
Please stay away from local tracks until our teams have had a chance to assess the damage and clear debris. This helps keep everyone safe while we work to reopen the areas.
We’ll share updates as soon as tracks are safe to use again.
Tracks cleared and reopened
- ✅ Waterfall loop track
- ✅ Noel's lookout
Facilities
Firth Tower Reserve and Musuem are closed until further notice. Power is out and there has been some damage.
✅ Te Aroha Library - power back on.
✅ Swim Zone Te Aroha - power back on
✅ Te Aroha Mineral Spas - power back on
✅ Domain House Beauty - power back on
✅ Te Aroha Visitor Information Centre - open as normal
✅ Swim Zone Matamata - open as normal
✅ Swim Zone Morrinsville - open as normal
Refuse Transfer Stations
✅ Matamata Transfer Station - open as normal
✅ Morrinsville Transfer Station - open as normal
Waihou Transfer Station - closed as normal
Update - Thursday 22 January
Our district and surrounding districts were hit by strong winds and heavy rains on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. There is extensive damage across our district, mainly fallen trees and debris caused by the winds as well as some surface flooding. We continue to gather reports and head into recovery works today as it was not safe for many repairs to be made during the strong weather. There is a lot of work to be done and we are still advising people to avoid unnecessary travel.
We are also aware of ongoing power outages around the district. Please contact PowerCo for updates on your power.
Our teams will be prioritising and working through hazard spots over the coming days. Before putting through a report or giving us a call - please check the list of closures and hazards below to check whether we are aware of the issue and where it is sitting. We understand that it can be frustrating to see an issue go unresolved, especially if it is close to your home, but our teams will be working all over the district and will make their way to you if we are aware of the issue.
A huge thank you to our emergency services for their ongoing work and response support. Thank you for your patience and please continue to take care on the roads if you need to travel.