Date: Tuesday, Feburary 14 2023, 12.15pm 

Kawerau wishes neighbours well 

ON behalf of the Kawerau District Council, Kawerau Mayor Faylene Tunui acknowledges our neighbours' preparedness in Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki overnight.  

"We wish to send our sincere regards to everyone in our neighbouring regions and others throughout Aotearoa who felt the force of Cyclone Gabrielle last night. We wish them well in the clean-up effort."

Kawerau District Council was pleased to hear this morning that both Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki avoided the worst of the impacts. SH35 will shortly be open to Whangaparaoa and low lying areas have fared well. Other clean-ups are being carried out including at the Ōhope West End carpark later today. Thankfully, those properties that were evacuated were largely okay.  

Fortunately, Kawerau rohe only sustained minor damage to trees and our Council staff and contractors are out there cleaning up now. 

We wish to encourage our Kawerau community to stay home and off the roads unless absolutely necessary, given the many slips blocking the State Highways overnight. 

Residents who wish to report any issues, are encouraged to phone our Council Duty Supervisor 24/7 with regards to trees, water and emergency issues on 07 306 9009. 

Other non-urgent issues can be reported via the Council website Fix It and Report a Problem | Kawerau District Council (kaweraudc.govt.nz) or via our Customer Services team on 07 306 9009 or in person at the Council Offices in Ranfurly Court, Kawerau. 

[ENDS]

Kawerau District Council Updates re Cyclone Gabrielle – Monday, 13 February 2023 

The Council wishes to advise residents to be prepared for the worst, with the approach of Cyclone Gabrielle as depending on the path and impact of the storm we can not know for certain the full implications. Please note:  

• The dangers of power lines and trees in high winds (please secure loose items, debris, and turn tramps upside down)

• Avoid unnecessary travel – especially across the region and down the East Coast where slips, flooding and inundation may be likely

• Recycling and Rubbish collections – going ahead (at this stage). Please only put out bins on the morning of collection 
• Be prepared – Check on whanau members, have grab bags ready (with medicines, snacks, water, torches, blankets and clothing, pet food, and baby formula (if needed)).

• Council Services updates are available on our Council website Kawerau District Council (kaweraudc.govt.nz)

** COUNCIL SERVICES UPDATE ** 

Please note the following re Council Services as at 3.45pm Monday, 13 February 2023

Monday 13 February 2023

• Council Offices Open
• Council staff checking rivers, culverts, trees etc. today
• Rubbish and Recycling collection as usual today 
• Transfer Station open 12 noon to 4.00pm (will be monitored for safety)
• Pools, Kawerau District Library and isite close at 12 noon today (Please note - our Council staff are also our Civil Defence team)

Tuesday 14 February 2023

• Council Offices open from 8:00am
• Council Offices closed 9.45am to 11.00am
• Kawerau Library open 10am (Lego Club postponed to Monday, 20 Feb, 3.30pm-4.30pm)
• Pools closed all day (due to safety concerns)
• Rubbish and Recycling collection as usual today (please only put your bins out from 7.30am onwards)
• Transfer Station open 12 noon to 4.00pm (will be monitored for safety)

Further updates available on the Council Facebook and Website.

For more information, please view the Council website or Council Facebook pages.