0 Opotiki District Council update
- Alerts
- by Stuart Gunn
- 22-01-2026
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New day new post whānau. 10:20am 22 January 2026
Just a few updates on the post-storm clean-up. It looks like the west of the Bay of Plenty has been hit hard . We still have some issues in our district this morning so please take care - check before you travel as there are a number of road closures to be aware of particularly closures to the west of Whakatāne.
The Whangaparāoa River has overflowed, causing significant surface flooding on Cape Road and Ngarue Road. These roads are closed and there are other issues, slips and closures in the area – you can see the extent of the damage in a video linked in the comments.
SH35 has reopened on the Bay of Plenty side but remains closed on the Tairawhiti side. There are a few issues and inspections are ongoing so take extra care. PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO THROUGH ACCESS TO GISBOURNE VIA SH35. With SH2 also closed (and Motu Road too), the remaining detour is SH5. Please allow time if you need to use that route. Side note - Work to clear SH2 has been postponed due to weather.
While we ask that you keep travel to a minimum, the Ōpōtiki bridges have no issues, there is roading access to and from Whakatāne (both the Waimana Gorge and Wainui road) so please attend important medical appointments and so on. Your health is essential travel! Please check before travelling further west than Whakatāne.
The latest info from the Flood Team at Bay of Plenty Regional Council is that their flood room remains activated and rain has eased across the region but some waterways continue to rise. First warning levels were reached for rivers in the district with peaks expected around 10am this morning.
Ōpōtiki RRC (rubbish and recycling centre) is open but please delay waste disposal drop offs until tomorrow if possible. Vehicles can navigate most of the site but wood, furniture and concrete areas are not accessible due to surface water.
