Eye to recovery as response continues
Taranaki Civil Defence is maintaining contact with households in remote areas which remain cut-off and providing urgent
welfare, medical and other necessities. The State of Emergency in Taranaki remains and is reviewed each day.
The Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has appointed Craig Campbell-Smart as Recovery Manager. When the
declaration is lifted the Recovery Manager will coordinate long-term community support for the affected people across
the whole region.
Waitotara township
Most residents in Waitotara have now returned to their homes or have arranged alternative accommodation locally. The
cleanup of homes and streets in the town is underway. All homes in Waitotara have now been assessed.
Taranaki District Health Board advises that water at Waitotara School is currently safe to drink and monitoring is
ongoing. Wai-inu Beach water supplies are safe to drink. Tankers are supplying drinking water to the township.
The local Information Centre at the Waitotara Hotel remains open. If people have urgent needs they should contact Civil
Defence 0800 or call 111 for medical emergencies.
Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund
Public donations can be made to the Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund to help people affected by heavy flooding and storm
damage.
Details are: TSB Bank, 15-3947-0492814-01 “Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund”.
The relief fund was jointly set up by South Taranaki, Stratford and New Plymouth district councils and Taranaki Regional
Council.
Donations to the Taranaki Disaster Relief fund are the most efficient and effective form of assistance for those
affected by the emergency.
Assistance
People with urgent and essential needs can contact the Ministry of Social Development on 0800 559 009.
Rural support
The Taranaki Rural Support Trust can help farming and rural families affected by flooding and road closures. Contact
0800 787 254
Roading
SH43 between Stratford and Taumaranui is open but drivers should expect delays due to maintenance. SH3 south of Hawera
at Manutahi is still reduced to one lane due to washout. Slip clearing at Mt Messenger tunnel is delaying traffic on SH3
north.
Many local roads within the region remain closed due to slips and flooding.
Get the latest updates here:
South Taranaki: tinyurl.com/STroads
Stratford District: tinyurl.com/StratRoads
New Plymouth District: tinyurl.com/NProads
North Island State Highways: tinyurl.com/StateHiways
Power
People should contact their energy retailer to report faults or for information about power cuts or go to Powerco’s
website http://www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults/
Customers who wish to use their own generators must arrange for a certified electrician to connect the generators for
safety reasons.
Health and safety
Everything that has been in contact with floodwater should be treated with caution. Personal hygiene is crucial to
prevent the spread of disease following flood events.
All beaches in the NP District have been signposted with 5-day “Do Not Swim” notices.
Other
Kiwi Rail advise that the line from Marton to Hawera is closed due to multiple slips. It is estimated it will take two
weeks to re-open.
Boaties are also advised to be aware of flood debris that has been washed out to sea.
ENDS