NZ Storm: Power Outages, Road Closures & State of Emergency in Whanganui & Rangitīkei

A state of emergency remains in effect for the Rangitīkei District of New Zealand’s North Island following a severe storm that caused widespread power outages, road closures, and prompted a brief deployment of the New Zealand Defence Force. The declaration, made proactively by Mayor Andy Watson on Sunday, February 15th, aims to coordinate the response to the ongoing disruption.

As of Monday, February 16th, numerous local roads remain impassable, including Agnews Road, Aldworth Road, Brandon Hall Road, Norwood Lane, Ongo Road, Otara Road, Pohonui Road, Purakau Street, Ruru Road, and Turakina Valley Road, which is blocked at both ends. State Highway 54 is closed between State Highway 1 and Cheltenham, while State Highway 1 between Hunterville and Waiouru is open with a temporary speed restriction of 30km/h. The Taihape-Napier Road has reopened, but motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution.

The situation highlighted the challenges of navigating local roads during emergencies. Mayor Watson explained that individuals attempting to bypass closures on State Highways were becoming stranded on minor roads, often in areas with limited cell phone coverage. “They decided to self-navigate using minor back roads, but in an area where communication is very difficult with cell phone technology and a difficult roading area,” Watson said. A New Zealand Defence Force NH-90 helicopter was initially dispatched to assist those trapped on Turakina Valley Road, but was stood down after crews cleared a slip and allowed vehicles to continue their journeys.

Approximately 8,000 properties in Whanganui and Rangitīkei experienced power outages early on Monday. Powerco crews have been working to restore electricity, reconnecting around 2,000 properties by early afternoon. The outage at the Fordell water treatment plant has prompted local authorities to advise residents to conserve water until power is restored and operations can resume. Whanganui District Council is coordinating with Taumata Arowai, the water regulator, and has a contingency plan involving generators and potential water transfer from the Westmere reservoir if necessary.

The Rangitīkei District, primarily located within the Manawatū-Whanganui region, covers an area of 4,483.88 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 16,000, according to data from June 2025. The district is governed by the Rangitīkei District Council, led by Mayor Andy Watson, who was first elected in 2013 and has been re-elected in 2016, 2019, and 2022.

While rainfall in the Rangitīkei District was reportedly not as heavy as initially forecast, Mayor Watson emphasized the significant clean-up operation ahead. “The principal damage is loss of power throughout the district, with a huge number of trees, including one at our place, across power lines. There is going to be a huge clean-up,” he stated. Council crews are currently assessing the extent of the damage to the roading network and clearing fallen trees and debris.

Whanganui’s Rotokawau Virginia Lake, Kowhai Park, and Bason Botanic Gardens have been closed due to high winds, and will remain so until inspections can be carried out to assess the risk of falling trees. MetService meteorologist John Law reported that Whanganui Airport recorded 54mm of rainfall overnight, while inland regions of the district received up to 85mm, with Kauangaroa experiencing the heaviest rainfall.

The strongest wind gust was recorded at Whanganui Airport on Monday morning, reaching 111km/h. Tim Crowe, Whanganui Civil Defence emergency manager, reported that the primary issues were fallen trees, with contractors working throughout the night to clear them. River levels are currently being monitored, but are not considered to be a significant concern at this time, although ponding and flooding in low-lying areas remain possible.

Residents in Taihape, Mangaweka, Hunterville, Rātana, and Fordell have been asked to conserve water due to power disruptions at local water treatment plants. Authorities are urging the public to report fallen trees to Civil Defence or the Whanganui District Council. The Rangitīkei District Council expects to provide a comprehensive list of closed roads by its next update on Tuesday morning.