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RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Weather: Nelson Tasman residents warned to prepare for more heavy rain, thunderstorms possible in North Island
MetService is warning heavy rain could bring flash flooding to the upper South Island and Bay of Plenty. Photo: 123RF MetService is warning heavy rain could bring surface flooding to the upper South Island and Bay of Plenty, with up to 110mm of rain expected. It comes after Nelson was inundated with heavy rain causing widespread flooding earlier this week. Bay of Plenty is under an orange heavy ran warning until 4am Thursday, while parts of Tasman is also under the warning until 8pm Wednesday, MetService warned streams and rivers could rise rapidly, with the possibility of surface flooding and slips. The forcasting agency said thunderstorms were also possible for the Bay of Plenty before 12pm on Thursday. Heavy rain watches are also in place for the West Bay of Plenty and Richmond and Bryant ranges, just south of Nelson. Meanwhile, a strong wind watch has been issued for Northland on Thursday. Updated Watches and Warnings Keep an eye on conditions this afternoon & evening as heavier rain is expected for Bay of Plenty, northwest Tasman & ranges at the top of the South Island️ Winds are looking punchy in Northland on Thursday, with a Strong Wind Watch in place Nelson Tasman Civil Defence said given the heavy rain in Nelson earlier this week, it will be watching the weather warnings closely. "The warning periods are relatively short, though the chance of heavy downpours are possible so be prepared," it said. Civil Defence also urged residents to make sure stormwater drains were clear. "We saw a number of properties flood due to blocked drains, so we strongly encourage you to check the stormwater grates near your property and clear them of any leaves," it said. "Heavy rain is likely around the afternoon, so take care on the roads, especially around school times." Intense rainfall left parts of Nelson underwater on Monday. Streets and several homes and businesses were flooded, drains were overwhelmed, and emergency crews scrambled to respond. Flooding in Nelson on Monday. Photo: Supplied / Valeriya Horyayeva
RNZ News
23-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Rotorua finally shrugs off polluted air status
For the first time in twenty years, Rotorua residents can wake up and officially breath in clean air. Photo: RNZ/Sally Round For the first time in twenty years, Rotorua residents can wake up and officially breath in clean air. Bay of Plenty Regional Council councillor Lyall Thurston said it had taken a collective effort from the community, councils, government and public health officials for Rotorua to officially shed its 'polluted' air quality status. "It's a major day for Rotorua and New Zealand, in particular in terms of public health," he said. Rotorua has long struggled with poor winter-time air quality, due to smoke from wood burners getting trapped by Rotorua's unique landscape. Smoke contains tiny particles, called particulate matter, and there is a national standard for the amount of particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less (called PM10) which can be in the air. For a time, Rotorua was the city with the worst winter-time air pollution in the country and in 2008 it recorded 37 days when PM10 air pollution exceeded the national standard. To remove the polluted status, Rotorua was required to have no more than one breach of the national standard a year, for five years in a row. In 2020 it recorded its first year with only one day exceeding the standard. The following four years it had no days exceeding the standard, meaning the 'polluted' status can finally be removed. Thurston said there had been a massive education campaign to inform people about the need to clean up the air in Rotorua. "The main issues have been to get people to install compliant wood burners because wood burners are clearly the main culprit that we have been dealing with," he said. Thurston said the regional council had "been more than generous" in helping residents replace dirty heating for a cleaner option. This included the Rotorua Hot Swap Scheme which ran from 2010 - 2021, giving low interest loans or grants to households who replaced their non-compliant burners with cleaner, more efficient heating methods, such as ultra-low emission burners and heat pumps. Thurston said while the milestone marked significant progress to improving the city's air quality, the journey towards cleaner air in Rotorua continued. "I think the battle will always be there, but through compliance and rules and the goodwill of the Rotorua community, we will be breathing clean air going forward for as long as we possibly can," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Serious crash closed Bay of Plenty road
The crash closed a Bay of Plenty Road. Photo: Pretoria Gordon / RNZ A serious two-vehicle crash has closed a Bay of Plenty road. Emergency services were alerted to the crash about 8am and police said there were thought to be serious injuries. Dansey Road in the Ngongotahā Valley was close and traffic was diverted onto State Highway 5. Motorists were asked to take alternative routes if possible.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Thunderstorms hit the North Island
There is a thunderstorm watch for the Bay of Plenty. Photo: MetService A severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for Bay of Plenty on Friday night. Areas that were affected by the previous warning include South Waikato, Western Bay of Plenty, and Rotorua. MetService said earlier on Friday the thunderstorms were moving east-southeast and are expected to bring heavy rain, which may cause flash flooding and make driving extremely hazardous. Meanwhile, a slip has come down in the Kaimai Range and is currently blocking State Highway 29 near the lookout. Police said drivers between the Bay of Plenty and Waikato should delay their travel or take another route. SH29 KAIMAI RANGES, BAY OF PLENTY - SLIP - 8:15PM Due to a slip the road is now CLOSED between Te Poi and Tauriko. Eastbound traffic detour via SH28, SH5, and SH36. Reverse for Westbound. Allow at least an additional 90 minutes to your journey time for the detour. ^EH It comes as MetService said the bulk of the rain band that hit Auckland earlier in the evening has moved through Coromandel. It then hit Bay of Plenty, with heavy showers heading towards Rotorua. A severe thunderstorm warning issued for Auckland was lifted after a significant "short, sharp" downpour hit the city after 5pm. Meteorologist Katie Hillyer said the band of rain was heading east but the heavy rain was now mainly offshore and the intensity had reduced. She said people should still keep an eye on the forecast. Thunderstorm Warning issued In Bay of Plenty/Rotorua on a line of severe thunderstorms lying from PYES PA to NGONGOTAHA to GUTHRIE. This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the eastsoutheast, and is expected to lie from OROPI to NGONGOTAHA to WAIKITE VALLEY at 08:45… A line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the east, and is to be accompanied by very heavy rain. Fire and Emergency services said they were responding to a number of natural events in Auckland as heavy rain hit the city. Parts of Wairau Valley flooded after heavy rain lashed the North Shore suburb. Porana Road was closed, with water cutting off the street and closing one of the local Pak 'n Save's entrances. However the flooding did not forced the supermarket to close, as it did during the 2023 flooding. MetService said the rain in Auckland was expected to completely clear by midnight. Auckland update: That short-sharp line that brought heavy rain (20-35mm) has faded to the east and rain is on its way out altogether. MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Coromandel Peninsula until 8.30pm on Friday and for Bay of Plenty including Rotorua until 11pm on Friday. A heavy rain watch is in place across Auckland and Great Barrier Island, as well as Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. MetService said up to 30mm of rain fell on the city in one hour. There are reports of flooding in the suburb of Mt Roskill and about 50 domestic flights were disrupted by the downpour. Gridlock on Upper Harbour Motorway following a crash. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel There were multiple crashes across Auckland's motorway network as the rain came down. Three of the four southbound lanes near the Onewa Road on-ramp on the Northern Motorway were blocked at 5.50pm but that has now been moved clear of lanes. Another "multi-vehicle" crash westbound on the Upper Harbour Bridge has also been now been cleared. More crashes were to follow. On the Southern Motorway a single vehicle crash blocked a southbound lane after Market Road and on the Northwestern Motorway a lane was blocked eastbound after the St Lukes Road on-ramp. These have also both now been cleared. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Severe thunderstorm warning lifted for Auckland
A screen shot of the MetService's rain radar at 6.05pm on Friday 9 May 2025. Photo: MetService / Screenshot MetService is warning the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty that a severe thunderstorm that hit Auckland could be heading their way. A severe thunderstorm warning issued for Auckland has just been lifted after a significant "short, sharp" downpour hit the city in the last hour. Meteorologist Katie Hillyer told Checkpoint the band of rain was heading east. MetService said severe thunderstorms could be accompanied by very heavy rain. This line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the east, and is to be accompanied by very heavy rain. Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous. Fire and Emergency services said they were responding to a number of natural events in Auckland as heavy rain hit the city. The MetService said Auckland was struck by short sharp heavy rainfall late on Friday afternoon. THUNDERSTROM WARNING LIFTED as of 6:20pm ⛈️ Severe Thunderstorm warning issued for Auckland City, Rodney, Gulf and Albany. Find the full details at A heavy rain watch is in place across Auckland and Great Barrier Island, as well as Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. Between about 5-6pm 15-25mm of rain has fallen in Auckland. There are reports of flooding in the suburb of Mt Roskill and some flights have been delayed. MetService says the rain should ease by about 7pm. Gridlock on Upper Harbour Motorway following a crash. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel There were multiple crashes across Auckland's motorway network as the rain came down. Three of the four southbound lanes near the Onewa Road on-ramp on the Northern Motorway were blocked at 5.50pm but that has now been moved clear of lanes. Another "multi-vehicle" crash westbound on the Upper Harbour Bridge has also been now been cleared. More crashes were to follow. On the Southern Motorway a single vehicle crash blocked a southbound lane after Market Road and on the Northwestern Motorway a lane was blocked eastbound after the St Lukes Road on-ramp. These have also both now been cleared. The NZ Transport Agency says to expect delays. It comes after a significant "short, sharp" downpour hit the city at rush hour. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
