News stories

Rāwene residents and businesses are being asked to immediately reduce water consumption while contractors work to repair a major break in a mains water pipe.

A State of Emergency has been declared for Northland as at 5pm Friday 10 April, for an initial period of seven days, as part of the regional response to Cyclone Vaianu.

A new wave of Toi Māori programming is coming to the Turner Centre in Kerikeri with the creation of a new role dedicated to elevating Māori arts in the region.

Preliminary works for the Kaitāia Airport runway upgrade started this week, with council contractor, Downer, preparing for a full reseal scheduled later this month. Local contractors will be used wherever possible, and this was a key consideration during the procurement process.

**UPDATE as of 3.30pm Sunday 12 April**

Cyclone Vaianu is now moving away from Northland. The MetService heavy rain warning for our region has been lifted, and the wind warning also expired at 3pm today.

Whangārei, Kaipara and Far North district councils have reaffirmed their shared commitment to establishing a Northland-wide council-controlled organisation (CCO) to deliver drinking water and wastewater services for the region from July 2027.

**UPDATE as of 11am Wednesday 8 April**

All but one of eight Far North District roads impacted by yesterday’s severe rain have now reopened, with Waikare Road due to reopen to traffic later this morning.

Six roads across the Far North are currently closed due to flooding, a fallen tree and an overslip, as wet weather continues to affect the district.

Far North District Council (FNDC) is continuing to lead the charge for climate action across Te Tai Tokerau, taking over the administrative role for the Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee from Northland Regional Council.

Water restrictions for the Ōpononi-Ōmāpere and Ōmanaia-Rāwene communities have today (Tuesday 7 April) reduced to Level 1, marking the end of all remaining restrictions across the Far North.