Pre-emptive state of emergency declared across Horizons region
Sunday, 15 February 2026
A pre-emptive state of emergency has been declared across the entire Horizons region ahead of severe weather expected on Sunday night.
Heavy rain, rising rivers, slips, flooding, strong winds and power outages were expected as MetService has issued a red heavy rain warning for Manawatu, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts in the areas north of Feilding and east of State Highway 1.
Between 140 to 180mm of rain was expected, with peak rates of 10 to 20 mm an hour on Sunday night and Monday morning. The rain was forecast to mainly fall in the ranges before flowing through rivers to the coast.
The emergency declaration was requested by the Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management Group controller Michael McCartney and signed by chairwoman Nikki Riley after consultation with the region’s mayors.
Tararua, Rangitīkei and Manawatū district councils had declared a pre-emptive states of emergency earlier in the day.
McCartney said the seven-day declaration gave the group access to emergency powers and granted it authority to protect life and property in extraordinary events.
“Some of the most commonly used emergency powers include evacuating premises and places, entering premises, closing roads and public places, removing aircraft, vessels, vehicles etc and requisitioning property, equipment, material or supplies. Of these, enabling evacuations is often the key reason for an emergency declaration.
“We don’t know for certain that we will need to make use of these emergency powers, but given the potential for the main impact of this event to happen overnight, we’ve made the declaration it now as a precautionary step so we have those powers available if they’re needed.”
There had only been moderate rainfall for most parts of the region on Sunday afternoon and evening, but McCartney still urged people to take the weather event seriously.
The Manawatu-Whanganui Emergency Management Group believed there was a threat to life from dangerous river conditions, significant flooding and landslides. Conditions would disrupt travel, make some roads impassable and isolate communities.
Waterways across the region were expected to rise significantly as rain fell during the night, including the Manawatū, Pohangina, Ōroua, Rangitīkei, Turakina and Whangaehu rivers, and the Makino Stream.
The Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Tararua district councils had all activated their emergency response teams and were monitoring river levels.
People were advised to take the situation seriously and prepare while there was still daylight.
They were asked to make sure their devices were charged and they had a battery-powered radio to listen to news updates.
Northern Manawatū was expected to receive the wind and rain first on Sunday night.
This would affect Feilding and the southern part of Manawatū on Monday.
The Makino spillway gates would be closed at 9pm on Sunday night to protect Feilding from high waters in Makino Stream.
The Rangitīkei River at Tangimoana was expected to peak at midday on Monday.
The Napier-Taihape Rd in Rangitīkei had been closed.
The councils would provide updates on their Facebook pages.
Horizons Regional Council manager of emergency management Chay Hook said the weather was expected to cause issues.
“Conditions are going to significantly worsen throughout Sunday afternoon and overnight. We expect this rain to cause flooding and landslips across the region,” he said.
“The Tararua district is forecast to be especially at risk of flooding and landslips, while rivers throughout Whanganui, Manawatū and Rangitīkei districts will also have significant rainfall flow into them.”
Hook said it was always better to be cautious and prepare early, especially with the worst weather expected overnight.
“If your home is in a warning area, and you know it regularly floods when there is significant rainfall, you should be prepared to leave. It is always better to leave before a flood, rather than trying to evacuate when areas are flooded,” he said.
“If you see rising water, do not wait for official warnings. Trust your danger sense, head to higher ground and stay out of flood waters.
“Never, ever try to walk, play, swim or drive in flood water. People have sadly died during recent weather events, including one person this weekend, after becoming trapped in flood waters.
Tararua mayor Scott Gilmore said the declaration allowed the council and emergency services to act quickly and co-ordinate resources if conditions got worse.
Gilmore said key risks included:
Slips and debris on roads.
Widespread landslides in both rural and urban areas.
Surface flooding.
Rising rivers.
Hazardous driving conditions.
Heavy swells along the coastlines.
Power outages.
People were asked to avoid travel if possible and not to enter flood waters. Slips and surface flooding could affect travel.
Home advice:
Move any items from areas of your property prone to flooding.
Clear gutters and drains to help prevent surface flooding.
Bring inside anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds, or tie them down.
Bring pets inside where possible.
Farm advice:
If you have livestock, know which paddocks are safe to move them away from floodwaters, landslides, isolated tree and power lines.
Stay away from parts of your farms at risk of landslides.
If there has been a landslide, stay well away as there is the risk of further landslides occurring.
Boating advice:
There are significant swells forecast for both coasts, with the east coast expected to see combined waves of up to 8 metres.
Stay out of the water, away from beaches, and be prepared to move to higher ground.
Boats should be moored securely or moved to a safe location. Use rope or chain to secure boat trailers. Use tie-downs to anchor a trailer to the ground or to a building.
Gilmore urged people to look out for each other.
“Take the time to check in on friends, whānau and neighbours. It’s easier to get through emergencies when we work together.”
People can contact the Tararua District Council on 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110 for any issues or information and are urged to call 111 for any emergencies.
More preparedness information is available at mwcdem.govt.nz and the Get Ready website.
“People can keep up to date with any key information on this weather event on the Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence Facebook page or our website mwcdem.govt.nz,” Hook said.
MetService issued the following severe weather warnings for the region:
Tararua:
From 3pm Sunday until 7pm Monday, expect 140 to 180mm of rain, especially in eastern areas and about the Tararua Range. Intensities of 20 to 25 mm per hour.
From 6pm Sunday until 6am Monday, expect severe gale southwesterlies with damaging gusts of 130kph in exposed places.
Inland Whanganui:
- From 6pm Sunday until 2pm Monday, expect 120 to 170mm of rain with peak rates of 10 to 20mm per hour on Sunday night.
Manawatū and Rangitīkei districts north of Marton, as well as Ruapehu district south of Waimarino:
- From 6pm Sunday until 2pm Monday, expect 120 to 170mm of rain with peak rates of 10 to 20mm per hour on Sunday night.
Rangitīkei district north of Marton:
From 5pm Sunday until 7am Monday, expect severe gale west to southwesterlies with damaging gusts of 130kph in exposed places.
There are also strong wind watches in place for all other parts of the region from Sunday evening until Monday morning.