
Road closures in Whangārei
Police are closing Kokupu Block Road in Whangārei due to severe surface flooding and fallen trees caused by Cyclone Hale.
Motorists are advised to stay clear of the area until further notice and to avoid travel around Northland unless urgent, as heavy rain continues to batter down.
With high tide coming in by 11.15am. Hikurangi/Coastal General Ward councillor Scott McKenzie said the main concern is that the river might rise to a level where it spills over the road around Ngunguru.
Water levels need to reach roughly 4.5m in order to flood the road - they’re currently sitting above 3m, he said.
Other roads affected are:
Kaka Street, Morningside - flooded
Matapouri Road - fallen tree, passable with caution
Nook Road, Parua Bay - tree blocking both lanes
Parua Bay Road (west of Kerr Road) - heavy surface flooding, please avoid
Pataua North Road - road blocked due to slip
Places that have recently flooded are likely to flood again: Punaruku Road (Russell Rd), Whananaki North and South roads. Please travel with caution.
Residents are urged to stay off the roads, away from the coast and stay indoors. Further updates can be found on the Whangarei District Council website.


What does ANZAC day mean to you?
ANZAC Day is a time to reflect, remember, and honour those who served.
It’s also a powerful reminder of the impact of war and the courage of those who stood for something greater than themselves.
We're interested to hear what ANZAC Day means to you and your whānau, and about any special traditions you follow each year.
Perhaps you have a loved one who served? If you feel comfortable, we’d love for you to share their story here with us.


Show us your projects
Whether it's craft, haberdashery, woodwork or upcycling, we'd love to see what you've been working on lately.
You may even spark someone else's creativity...
Tell us about your current project or show us a picture in the comments below...


Poll: Are domestic flights with Air NZ out of your budget?
A Tauranga man has filed a complaint with the Commerce Commission, claiming that due to dynamic pricing, it’s cheaper for him to fly to Los Angeles than to book a flight for his daughter from Tauranga to Wellington.
Do you think their pricing needs addressed to encourage more people to fly?

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95.6% Yes, it's too expensive
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3.6% No, it's reasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below