Hunkering down in the storm in Whitianga

Thursday, 22 January 2026

As the rain beat down, tourists with nowhere else to be or flights that were not going anywhere gathered at a Whitianga bar.

Tracy Adamson, duty manager at Smitty’s said the central Whitianga sports bar was busy on Wednesday due to other eateries closing, with 48 people in at 6pm.

“A few people were a bit stranded waiting for the tide because we had a high tide at 10, so a lot of people were really concerned that if there was already flooding in the area come 10 o'clock high tide.”

People filtered away as conditions allowed but a group stayed beyond 8pm and the mood was good with lots of laughs in the air despite the storm.

Some had nowhere better to be.

“We had a couple that were supposed to be taking off on a plane to go back to the UK in four hours, but obviously it wasn't gonna happen.

“I said, well, it's preparing you for the weather when you get home.

“Most people were okay with it. It is what it is, and they were hanging out.“

The siren sounding for volunteer fire brigade call-outs up to a dozen times was a worry, however.

“A lot of people were concerned because it was, what siren is it?

“Yeah, so that was concerning for a lot of people, especially our tourists. They didn't know obviously what the siren was, and they said, Look, it's not a tsunami.

“I said, we're all good.”

Adamson felt for those with flood damage but the mood on Thursday was one of resignation but relief.

“Everyone's like: oh well, that's it then.”

Adamson felt Wednesday’s storm had more rainfall than Gabrielle but less wind.

“I've been here two years from Auckland and it's probably the second time I've experienced that sort of rain.”

“I think it's just a sign of the times and you choose to live on the coast on low land.

“It's all good paradise for the rest of the time.