‘The bridge is gone’: Hundreds isolated
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
A key Lower North Island bridge has washed out, isolating hundreds along the South Wairarapa coast.
There is also widespread damage and disruption across Wairarapa, with trees, slips and debris blocking roads.
Coastal communities have been cut off as the Tūranganui River bridge on Lake Ferry Rd is completely impassable due to flood damage.
The bridge, just before Lake Ferry, is a key link with the township itself, along with Cape Palliser, Ngawi, Whāngaimoana and many farming communities.
A resident said the one-way bridge was badly damaged.
“The bridge is gone. There is no way through. There’s a large chunk out of the middle gone,” they said.
“I’ve never seen it like this in my life. It’s a bit scary.”
“They will have to find another way.”
They said the entire coastal population would be affected, with no way in or out south of the bridge.
The bridge was between Warrens Rd and the turnoff to Cape Palliser Rd.
They said a second river, the Tauanui, had breached its banks and inundated farmland.
“It went through at least three houses. It came up so quickly.”
Those residents had successfully evacuated.
They said the area from Pirinoa southwards to the coast had been badly damaged.
Te Rata Rd near Pirinoa was also damaged. That road had at least six families living on it.
They said a resident farmer had recorded rainfall of 330mm in the nearby Aorangi Ranges.
A spokesperson for the Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre, which is managing the region’s response to the wild weather, said parks and reserves were open but they advised caution as there could still be unstable debris falling from trees.
The spokesperson said as of Tuesday morning road closures included Cape Palliser Rd Te Kopi, White Rock Road due to a landslide at Tuturumuri blocking both lanes, Lake Ferry Rd past the Kahutara turn off due to surface flooding, and Whangaehu Valley Rd at the start due to downed trees.
Waihakeke Rd was also closed due to large tree and powerlines across road. Trees were down on Te Ore Ore Bideford Rd, Mataikona Rd, Nahape Rd, Dorsets Rd, Jacksons Line, and South Belt Rd
Dalefield Rd was closed, and Te Wharau Rd was closed at Kaiwhata Rd (access to Flat Point)
The Huangarua bridge just outside Martinborough had closed on Monday, but was open on Tuesday with a large amount of debris beside it.
Wellington Water had issued a boil water notice for the Pirinoa community.
“Wellington Water advises that all drinking water in Pirinoa must be boiled before use, including for drinking, preparing food, making baby formula, or brushing teeth,” it said.
“The Pirinoa water treatment plant has been inundated by flooding following adverse weather in the South Wairarapa region. Because flood water can carry harmful contaminants, the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be guaranteed at this time.”
A South Wairarapa District Council spokesperson said on Tuesday morning they expected the road to be passable later in the day.
“The bridge is only one lane and is the main access route to Lake Ferry and Cape Palliser. This means those communities cannot currently be reached by road.
“Road crews and contractors are on site working urgently to repair the damage and reopen the road. The road is expected to reopen later this afternoon.”
The council reported White Rock Rd (closest intersection Harris Road North), Cape Palliser Rd from Te Kopi, and Lake Ferry Rd at Kahutara intersection were all closed on Tuesday morning.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.