State of emergency remains in place: Parts of Wairarapa received more than 250mm of rain in 48 hours

Wednesday, 22 April 2026

The Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre said parts of the region had received more than 250mm of rain in 48 hours.

A state of emergency remained in place in Wairarapa late on Wednesday, as emergency services assessed river levels and infrastructure.

A statement from the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on Wednesday afternoon said while river levels were dropping, they remained high.

“Areas of flooding remain and extreme care is required, with roads closed throughout the region.”

The statement also said the water supply at the small settlement of Tinui, northeast of Masterton, was impacted, with twice-daily water supplies being provided by tanker.

Many remained without power, but people evacuated from their homes on Tuesday evening were allowed to return. Weather warnings for the region were lifted.

SH2 reopened early on Wednesday, after being closed overnight following damage to a bridge near Featherston.

A NZTA/Waka Kotahi spokesperson said contractors worked through the night to repair and rebuild the approach to the bridge with work completed shortly before 6.20 am.

Carterton mayor Steve Cretney acknowledged the hard work of the roading crews who had made access possible.

“The Wairarapa community will be really grateful for the hard work of NZTA overnight,” he said.

“I’m certainly very appreciative.”

Water flooded roads and paddocks on Tuesday, but access to some isolated areas cut off by flooding was also largely restored.

Mataikona Road in coastal Masterton, which had briefly closed, isolating the community, was partially open on Wednesday for restricted light vehicle movements. An engineering assessment of the road was under way.

A Powerco spokesperson said across Wairarapa 72 homes remained without power by mid-afternoon on Wednesday; 25 in Masterton, and 47 in South Wairarapa.

Access to Martinborough, Lake Ferry and Cape Palliser remained restricted on Wednesday afternoon as the Waihenga Bridge on SH53 and Lower Valley Bridge on Kahutara Rd were closed due to the high level of the Ruamahanga River.

The river’s peak flow at Waihenga Bridge was just over 5200mm at about 4am on Wednesday. By mid-afternoon, it had dropped to just over 5000mm.

Access across the Huangarua Bridge on Ponatahi Rd which had been closed, opened during the day.

South Wairarapa District Council confirmed Longbush Rd was open but asked people to drive cautiously through the area ahead of crews cleaning up.

There were mandatory evacuations in Gladstone on Tuesday night, as high river levels caused concern, with those evacuated able to return on Wednesday.

Emergency services had asked residents of about five homes in Gladstone to leave at about 8pm on Tuesday, due to rising water levels at the confluence of the Ruamahanga and Tauweru rivers.

The affected properties were near the Gladstone rugby ground and sports complex. Those evacuated spent the night with friends, family, or in available emergency accommodation.

There were reports of widespread surface flooding in the Gladstone area, with many flooded paddocks.

Roads near Masterton affected had included the Masterton-Castlepoint Rd, and Masterton-Stronvar Rd, both of which were now open.

Cretney asked Wairarapa residents to remain vigilant and exercise caution.

“I’m extremely grateful we didn’t have the heavy rain they had in Wellington. Wairarapa has been extremely lucky.”

Cretney asked those who were able to, to stay indoors and work from home on Wednesday to ensure they were safe.

“There are still areas of localised flooding, with further rain overnight.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air