News stories

** UPDATE – as of 3pm, 27 March. All MetService weather warnings have been lifted. Far North residents should continue to avoid floodwaters, areas of known landslides, and stay away from steep slopes. Go here for road closure updates.

Far North District Council has opened a Mayoral Relief Fund to support homeowners and residents impacted by the 26 March heavy rain event. The fund, known as Te Tahua Toka Tū Moana, is now accepting applications from those affected across the district.

Rapid response teams are being sent out to the worst affected parts of the district now that all weather warnings from the MetService have been lifted for Northland.

Residents in Kaikohe are being asked to urgently conserve water during the next 48 hours as the Taraire Hills Water Treatment Plant faces operational challenges following heavy rainfall.

A State of Emergency was declared for the Far North District today (26 March). Watch Kahika Tepania and EOC Controller Alastair Wells making the announcement.

An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been stood up by the council at its headquarters in Kaikohe this morning (Thursday 26 March) to prepare for impacts of predicted severe weather.

There were hugs of encouragement and tears of joy on Monday 23 March, as 38 new citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand from 19 different countries were officially sworn in at the Far North District Council Chambers in Kaikohe.

Thousands are expected to gather along the Doubtless Bay waterfront this Saturday, 28 March as the Mangōnui Waterfront Festival returns for 2026, bringing a full day of family-friendly entertainment to the Far North.

Northland Inc has delivered an investment of $46m into the regional economy over 10 years equating to a 180 per cent return on the cost, according to a report released this month.