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Severe thunderstorm warning - Thursday 3 July 2025
Alongside the heat and humidity, we are also expecting a severe thunderstorm.
Metservice has issued a RED severe thunderstorm warning for parts of our district this evening.
Metservice weather radar detected a line of severe thunderstorms that are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.
Impact: Very heavy rain can cause surface and/or flash flooding about streams, gullies and urban areas, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous.
Take some time now to get prepared ahead of worst weather setting in.
Take care while out and about and drive safely and to the conditions.
Planned Water shutdown notice - Tuesday 17 February 2026
A day-long water shutdown will be happening on Tuesday 17 February from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Boddies Terrace, Wesley Terrace, Tawa Street, Matai Street, William Street and Anzac Street.  This is to allow council contractor Schick Civil to install a new watermain line. Thank you for your understanding.
Home Our Council News News and Media Releases 2020 April Media Release 5 April 2020 - Stay home and stay in your bubble

Media Release 5 April 2020 - Stay home and stay in your bubble

5 Apr 2020, 3:00 PM

The Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday issued new advice and guidelines on what people can and can’t do during lockdown.

Western Waikato Emergency Operating Centre Controller Andrew Loe says the health notice has come at a crucial time and serves as a strict reminder for people to stay home and stay in your bubble.

“We are still receiving many reports from throughout the region of people flouting the rules. Not only does this increase the risk of transmission, it also puts an added strain on resources and essential services,” he says.
“We need people to be considerate. There are a lot of people who are abiding by the guidelines and it's placing unnecessary stress and worry on them to see others disregarding the guidelines to suit themselves”.

  • The new lockdown rules are:

  • Everyone must be isolated or quarantined at their current place of residence. You cannot travel to second homes, holiday homes or baches

  • Recreation and exercise does not include swimming, water based activities (surfing, boating, fishing), hunting, tramping or other activities that expose

  • Exercise is to be done in an outdoor place that can be readily accessed from home, and 2m physical distancing must be maintained

  • A child can leave the residence of one joint caregiver to visit or stay at another joint-caregiver residence if there is a shared bubble arrangement.

  • A person can leave their residence to visit or stay at another residence under a shared bubble arrangement if: one person lives alone in one, or both of those residences; or everyone in one of those residences is a vulnerable person.

Mr Loe says it’s imperative people understand the importance of staying at home.

“The steady rate of increasing positive cases nationally can be distressing for all New Zealanders, and we understand that people in our community may be concerned about local Covid-19 cases in the Western Waikato area.

“We all have a part to play in breaking the transmission of this virus. Staying home is the best way we can all help stop the spread of Covid-19. Staying home will save lives.”

Kia mauri tau. Kia ngākau aroha. E noho ki te kāinga. Tiakina te tangata.
Be calm. Be kind. Stay home. Save lives.

#manaakitanga

Media contact:
Public Information Manager - Western Waikato Emergency Operating Centre
027 382 3218 | [email protected]