New Zealand’s Northland region is being battered by wild weather, as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam lashes the area with powerful winds, heavy rain and widespread disruptions.
Although MetService has now downgraded Tam to a subtropical low, authorities warn the system is still packing a punch – and the worst is yet to come.
Wild Weather Set to Intensify
Kiwis in Northland are being urged to brace for more wild conditions, with the region under an orange heavy rain warning until 9pm Thursday, and a strong wind warning from Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday night.
Winds have already been clocked at speeds of up to 100km/h in exposed areas, and around 20mm of rain has fallen over just 12 hours. Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane warned that while there may be brief lulls in the storm, things will ramp up again throughout Wednesday evening.
For Aussies familiar with east coast storm seasons, think of it like when a system stalls off the Queensland coast – it might lose its cyclone classification, but it can still wreak havoc.
Thousands Left Without Power
Northland’s electricity infrastructure has taken a hit, with nearly 1000 homes and businesses in the Far North left without power, according to energy provider Top Energy.
The worst affected area is north Hokianga, where 835 customers are still in the dark – though crews are aiming to restore power by 7pm. Smaller outages were also reported near Kaitāia and Pokapu Rd, expected to be fixed by early evening.
Another fault in Awarua is impacting nearly 90 homes, but there's currently no estimate for when electricity will be restored.
Northpower, another local provider, reported a significant reduction in outages by the afternoon – but still had 420 customers offline in Paparoa.
Crews have been working flat out to restore services, particularly around Whangārei and Kaipara, where earlier in the day over 1700 properties were affected.
Trees Down and Roads Blocked
The winds have caused multiple trees to come down, leading to traffic chaos across parts of Northland.
On State Highway 1 near Uretiti, a tree toppled over, blocking the southbound lane. Emergency services were on site quickly, with fire crews using chainsaws to clear the obstruction while police helped direct traffic.
Earlier in the day, State Highway 1 at Mata near Salmon Rd was also blocked after a large tree fell across both lanes. The road has since reopened, but drivers have been warned to expect delays and drive with caution.
Flights Cancelled as Visibility Drops
If you had travel plans in or out of Whangārei, they’ve likely been grounded. All flights in and out of Whangārei Airport were cancelled due to poor visibility, with the first flight out on Thursday also scrapped.
Airport manager Mike Chubb said there was simply too much uncertainty.
“I have no reason to believe tomorrow is going to be any better. It’s just too unreliable. It might be possible to get a plane in from time to time, but a bit hit and miss, so I think better to just call it,” he explained.
Air New Zealand will keep passengers in the loop and resume flights once the weather settles.
Trouble on the Water
There’s been no shortage of maritime issues either. Over the last 24 hours, a 12-metre concrete yacht sank at Totara North, although it’s not currently posing a navigational hazard.
According to Northland Harbourmaster Jim Lyle, there's nothing that can be done about the sunken yacht until the weather clears.
Another small yacht ran aground in mud beside the Hātea River on Tuesday evening, but so far, the region’s Coastguard hasn’t received any emergency callouts.
Whangaroa Coastguard president Chris Wilkins advised all boat owners to find a safe anchorage and hunker down.
“There are plenty of well-sheltered spots in Whangaroa. Just stay put until this blows over,” he said.
Rain Hammering Northland Hills
According to Northland Regional Council, the heaviest rain so far has fallen in the hills north of Whangārei. Glenbervie Forest recorded a whopping 21mm in just one hour between 6am and 7am.
Eastern parts of the region, including the Bay of Islands and Whangārei, have also seen significant downpours – but the worst of it is forecast to lash western areas into the evening.
Authorities Urge Vigilance
Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo has urged residents to remain alert, especially with concerns over slips and localised flooding.
“Crews are stationed at the top of the Brynderwyn Hills monitoring for slips and any damage so they can respond quickly,” he said.
More emergency response teams have been stationed around vulnerable communities to assist if needed.
The Far North District Council also confirmed road crews are investigating unconfirmed reports of slips and fallen trees across the region.
In Kensington, Whangārei, fire crews were dispatched to clear a large branch that had fallen across the road at around 8am. The road was reopened by 8:20am, and thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Services Disrupted
The wild weather has also affected rubbish collection. Northland Waste has requested that only blue glass recycling bins and well-secured rubbish bags be placed out for pickup.
There will be no rubbish collection on Good Friday, but missed pickups will be made on Saturday instead.
The popular Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail has also been closed for the day due to safety concerns.
What Aussies Should Know
While this storm is across the ditch, Aussies with family or mates in the region might want to check in. And for anyone travelling in New Zealand right now, especially in Northland, it’s best to stay put, follow local updates, and avoid unnecessary travel.
As with any intense weather system, conditions can change rapidly – so staying alert and heeding warnings is key.
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