Cyclone Gabrielle
Civil Defence
Key information
UPDATED 9am Monday 27 February
While Cyclone Gabrielle has passed and the wild weather has moved on from the Taupō District, the recovery efforts in some areas will take time. Our thoughts are with those communities in Northland, Coromandel, Gisborne and especially in Hawke’s Bay who are doing it really tough right now. It's times like these we need to have each other's backs.
- A helping hand for flood-hit districts
- Cyclone Gabrielle by the numbers and a look at some of the carnage
- Cyclone Gabrielle: A message from the Mayor
- Free disposal of green waste at transfer stations until 2 March (see details below)
- State Highway 5 Taupō to Napier remains closed (see details below)
- Take extra care in our parks and reserves while the clean-up continues (see details below)
- State of National Emergency declared on 14 February to assist in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle (see details below)
- District-wide conserve water notice has been lifted - thanks for your help while restrictions were in place
- Taupō District venues and facilities are open as normal
- All kerbside collections have returned to normal
- See all updates below
As always, you can call us on 07 376 0899, our call centre remains open 24-7.
Stay up to date by checking here, our Taupō District Council and Civil Defence Facebook pages, and our Antenno app.
Free disposal of green waste
As the clean-up continues around the district in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, many of you will still have green waste to dispose of! To help, we’re extending the offer of dropping off your green waste for free at any of our transfer stations around the district.
The free offer applies for green waste only:
- From Thursday 22 February to Thursday 2 March
- During the normal opening hours at our transfer stations in Taupō (Broadlands Road), Kinloch, Mangakino, Omori/Kuratau, Tūrangi and Whareroa.
To check the opening hours for our facilities go to www.taupo.govt.nz/rubbish.
Road closures
State Highway 5 between Taupō and Eskdale/Napier remains closed following damage from Cyclone Gabrielle.
All local roads that were closed in the aftermath of the storm have reopened, please be aware that traffic management may be used in some places while any remaining debris are cleared.
- If you see trees down on local roads, please call our customer services team on 07 376 0899.
- For State Highways contact Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on 0800 44 44 49.
For the most up-to-date information on state highways check https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
Parks and reserves
In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle you will have seen plenty of fallen and damaged trees.
Our immediate priority was clearing trees blocking roads and causing safety issues. Through the quick actions of the community members, our parks and reserves team and contractors, blocked roads were cleared and reopened as quickly as possible and immediate safety issues addressed. But that was just the start of what is a massive clean-up operation – with weeks of work still to be done.
More than 50 roads around the district were impacted by fallen trees and debris. Over 200 trees came down or were significantly damaged in streets, parks and reserves.
Our contractors and team are making progress clearing trees from our parks and reserves and turning this into firewood for the local communities. Just a reminder for everyone that your own chainsaws and axes should not be used in public spaces – please leave this to our crews who are working their way around. Once they have finished in an area, everyone is welcome to help themselves to firewood. Please be patient until the crew has moved on.
While there’s a lot more work to be done, we’re humbled by way everyone has come together and worked on the clean-up and recovery of the place we love. Stay safe everyone, please continue to 'proceed with caution' when using parks and reserves and take a good look around before using these spaces.
Find out more about the clean-up operation
Huka Falls Track
IMPORTANT: Please note the Huka Falls Track, managed by the Department of Conservation, remains closed and is very dangerous. Do not use it. For updates, go to the DOC website.
State of National Emergency declared
The New Zealand Government declared a State of National Emergency on 14 February, to assist in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle. On 20 February this was extended for a further seven days. The States of National Emergency covers Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, and Hawke’s Bay regions, and the Tararua District.
More info and updates on the NZ Civil Defence website.
Power
Cyclone Gabrielle caused major damage to electricity supply around the district. If you are without power, we recommend keeping fridges and freezers closed, and eating the food from your refrigerator first, then items from your freezer.
- For updates on power outages in Tūrangi and southern parts of the district, go to www.thelinescompany.co.nz or call 0800 367 328.
- For updates on power outages in the rest of the district, go to www.unison.co.nz/outages or call 0800 286 476.
If you have serious welfare concerns, you can call us on 07 376 0899, our call centre remains open 24-7.
Conserve Water Notice Lifted
UPDATE 4pm Friday 17 February 2023
Thank you everyone for your efforts in helping to conserve water this week. The urgent conserve water notice for the district has now been lifted, but please continue to be mindful of your water use.
Thanks for your understanding, and as always if you have any concerns, please call our customer service centre on 07 376 0899.
Taupō District Council venues and facilities open
All Taupō District Council venues and facilities reopened on Wednesday 15 February, including all pools, libraries, the museum, event venues and our customer service centres.
