Keen fisherman dies after being trapped in floodwaters
Sunday, 15 February 2026
An elderly man died after his car became submerged by floodwaters in the Ōtorohanga district.
Brent Knowles’ car became submerged on Friday evening near Puketotara.
“Sadly, one person was located deceased inside the vehicle,” a police spokesperson said.
On Sunday morning Venturer Fishing Charters Kawhia posted a tribute online saying Knowles was a regular customer.
“Rest in peace Brent.”
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Knowles’ daughter responded saying he was a “beautiful Dad”.
“You were my world, I loved you so much. Life will never be the same. Broken.”
Others said he was an “awesome person” who was also known as “Mr Perfect”.
Ōtorohanga District Mayor Rodney Dow told Stuff although he didn’t know Brent personally he was thinking of the Knowles family.
Deputy Mayor Katrina Christison said the news of Knowles death was “devastating”.
“The whole community is thinking of the family. We don’t get hit like this,” she told Stuff on Sunday morning.
Christison urged people to drive with care and to support their neighbours. She’s also asking those who would like to volunteer to help clean-up to let the council know.
“I know there’s a lot in the community who want to make that happen.”
Meanwhile the weather continues to concern many with MetService saying a significant low pressure system is set to deepen east of the North Island on Sunday.
It’s expected to bring a bout of heavy rain, severe gales and rough seas to large parts of the eastern and southern North Island, the upper South Island and the Chatham Islands.
Orange rain and wind warnings are already in place, with forecasters warning conditions could still ramp up.
Where the rain will hit hardest
Orange heavy rain warnings cover parts of Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, Hawke’s Bay, inland Whanganui, Manawatū, Wairarapa and the Tararua Range.
Rainfall totals of 100mm to 160mm are forecast in some eastern hills and ranges, with bursts of up to 30mm an hour possible overnight from Sunday into Monday.
That’s enough to cause problems. Streams and rivers could rise quickly, with surface flooding, slips and tricky driving conditions likely in vulnerable spots.
Heavy rain watches remain in place for the rest of Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, and the eastern hills and ranges of Marlborough and Canterbury between Seddon and Amberley.
Strong winds, with the potential to escalate
It won’t just be wet. Strong wind warnings have been issued for Wairarapa, Tararua District, Wellington and eastern Marlborough, where south to southwesterly gusts could reach 130km/h in exposed areas.
Forecasters say there’s a low to moderate chance some wind warnings could be upgraded to red if the system deepens further.
Strong wind watches extend across Manawatū, Taihape, Whanganui, Horowhenua, the Kāpiti Coast, inland Marlborough and the Chatham Islands.