Caution urged around swollen Far North waterways

Residents and visitors are being warned to remain cautious around Far North rivers and streams despite Heavy Rain Warnings being lifted, as drenched hillsides continue to feed overnight rainfall into already swollen waterways.

It is likely that flows in major waterways such as the Awanui River in Te Hiku, Kāeo River, Kawakawa River through Moerewa, Waitangi River and the Waipekakoura River in Waipapa-Kerikeri will remain high for the rest of the day.

High tides will also impact river systems such the Kāeo and Kawakawa rivers. High tide is due on the east coast tonight at around 11pm. On the west coast, high tides will come a little later at about 1pm today and after 1am tomorrow morning. Heavily flooded coastal areas will not drain as quickly where waterways are impacted by high tides.

Recent torrential rains will not reduce the need for Far North residents and visitors to conserve water. Level 2 water restrictions are currently in place at Ōmanaia–Rāwene, Ōpononi–Ōmāpere and Kerikeri–Waipapa banning the use of outdoor sprinklers and irrigation systems.

Experience shows that small and vulnerable Hokianga water sources are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in rainfall and flows will quickly fall again as the wet weather passes and temperatures climb. More significant water sources, such as Waitangi River and the Waingaro Reservoir/ Puketotara Stream in Kerikeri, can also be impacted by flood debris and silt which reduce the capacity of treatment plants to purify and treat raw water.

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Main photo and video below - Haruru Falls at 8am on Thursday 22 January. The waterfall is part of the Waitangi River system.