Source: Radio New Zealand
Flooding in Mimiwhangata near Whangārei, on Sunday morning. RNZ
Some people are still isolated in Northland after heavy rain caused havoc in the region, the Whangārei mayor says.
Up to 200 millimetres of rain lashed Northland on Sunday, causing flooding and landslides.
Whangārei mayor Ken Couper told Morning Report a number of people are still isolated in a Department of Conservation campsite in Puriri Bay, which is next to the Whangaruru Harbour.
Whangārei mayor Ken Couper. Supplied / LDR
He said they are not short on food or supplies, but he will be looking to provide them with fuel for generators.
Couper said the main focus is on making sure they are ready for the next deluge of rain before the clean-up can begin.
MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for Northland from 6pm on Monday until 6pm on Tuesday. It said periods of heavy rain, with thunderstorms and localised downpours were possible.
The watch has a moderate chance of being upgraded to a warning, the forecasting agency said.
Earth Sciences New Zealand, formely Niwa, said the heaviest rain for the region was likely to be on Wednesday.
We’re expecting a busy week of weather around NZ as a subtropical low forms and moves south toward the country
Northland will see periods of rain early in the week, with the heaviest rain likely Wed-Wed night
By Thursday, rain (possibly heavy) could overspread other parts of NZ pic.twitter.com/5qOgXiGk2n
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 18, 2026
In addition to the rain, MetService said strong easterlies were expected in the north of the North Island, and there was low confidence that a wind warning would be needed for Northland and Auckland.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
