Councillor Tayla Barclay - Ōtorohanga Council

10/04/2026

CYCLONE VAIANU UPDATE: 11 APRIL: A STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED FOR THE WAIKATO REGION AND EMERGENCY MOBILE ALERT ISSUED (EMA)

At around 3pm Saturday 11 April, you may have received a Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) on your mobile device from Waikato Civil Defence. This alert is a timely reminder for us that we need to take appropriate measures in the remaining daylight hours of today prior to the arrival of Cyclone Vaianu that will impact us overnight.

** PREPARE NOW ** For info on how to prepare, go to: www.waikatocivildefence.govt.nz

** IMPORTANT** Stay up to date with the latest weather info from MetService, as the information is subject to change as the cyclone progresses: www.metservice.com/warnings

At Ōtorohanga District Council, safety and wellbeing are always at the top of our mind, and our local Civil Defence team is working with Civil Defence Waikato, and are ready to respond

In an emergency, phone 111. Please report any issues to Council on 0800 734 000 (24 hours) or email [email protected].
Wait times may be longer than usual but your information is important to us. We thank you for your understanding.

This decision to declare a state of emergency was made due to the likelihood of significant impacts across the area, including damaging winds, flooding, and disruption to power and transport networks.

Civil Defence Waikato say declaring a State of Emergency allows them to coordinate the response across Waikato and, if required, use emergency powers to help protect life and property. These powers can include closing roads, evacuating areas, and accessing resources quickly.

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐔𝐏 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄:
• MetService Facebook: MetService New Zealand
• MetService website: https://www.metservice.com/
• Government's GetReady website: https://getready.govt.nz/
• Ōtorohanga District Council website: https://www.otodc.govt.nz/latest-news/article/632/helpful-information
• Roading updates: https://www.otodc.govt.nz/latest-news/article/605/roading-update-otorohanga-district

𝐑𝐔𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐇
• Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia Transfer Stations (Refuse and Recycling) will be closed on Sunday.

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐒
• Due to expected high winds and increased risks, these will be closed from 6pm Saturday till 8am Monday.

𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐒
• Useful info: https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/guidance-training/consistent-messages/landslide

30/03/2026

You know I love native birds but this is getting out of control!

This is Pleakley the talking tūī and he’s on Seven Sharp tomorrow

26/03/2026

WORKSHOP: ADVERSE EVENT TRAINING FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES

Register now for a NZ Landcare Trust workshop being held in Waitomo on 30 April, training rural communities how to prepare for and respond to adverse events. It’s for Waikato and King Country farmers, rural landowners, catchment groups and rural professionals.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭: Catchment Emergency Preparedness Workshop
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: Thursday 30 April 2026, 10am – 4pm
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: Waitomo Homestead, State Highway 3, only 10 minutes' drive from Waitomo Village
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰: by 28 April. Numbers are limited. Click here to register: https://shorturl.at/MBPSb
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Contact [email protected]
𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨: The workshop will be fun, interactive and fast-paced, covering key aspects of emergency preparedness, response and recovery. It’s designed to help landowners and farmers build resilience. Lunch provided.
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬: The workshop is supported by Taranaki Catchment Communities, MPI Agriculture and Investment Services, Rural Support, KCRC, King Country River Care and National Emergency Management Agency.

11/03/2026

We’re giving away 1,000 native plants to help support properties that have been impacted by the recent flooding - with a focus on restoring waterways, margins and damaged areas.

These are the communities where Restore Native customers live and work. People who are actively building resilient farming systems and improving biodiversity year on year.

If your land has been affected or you know someone who has - submit the details via the link below and upload a few photos so our team can assess what’s required.

🔗 Apply here
https://restorenative.rocketspark.co.nz/pirongia-flood-support/

11/03/2026

OUR DISTRICT’S ROAD TO RECOVERY

Following the severe weather and flooding across the Ōtorohanga District on 13 - 14 February, recovery work is now underway across our communities.

While the emergency response phase has ended, the work to repair damage, restore infrastructure and support people affected by the event continues. Recovery will take time, and many teams are working together to move this work forward.

Today we are sharing Our District’s Road to Recovery, an update outlining the progress being made, the priorities guiding the recovery programme, and where people can find support if they have been impacted.

You can read the full update here - https://www.otodc.govt.nz/latest-news/article/618/media-release-our-districts-road-to-recovery

If you or someone you know needs support following the floods, please contact us on 0800 734 000 or visit www.otodc.govt.nz

04/03/2026

25/02/2026

Otorohanga Club Grant Applications

Our community has taken a hard hit from the recent flooding, and many families, schools, organisations and local businesses are doing it tough right now.

The Otorohanga Club would like to help.

We have grant funding available for those in our district who have been directly affected. The purpose of this support is simple — to help our community recover and get back on its feet as quickly as possible.

Applications are open to:
• Local schools and early childhood centres
• Community groups and sports clubs
• Local businesses

If you, or someone you know, has been affected, please reach out. We understand some people may feel hesitant to ask — but this is exactly what the Club is here for. Supporting our community.

Application for funding can be found on our website or at the club, or email through to [email protected]

19/02/2026

16/02/2026

Ōtorohanga, what a beautiful community 🤍
It’s at times like these that we truly see the strength, resilience and heart of our people.

This evening, alongside some incredible locals, we collected donations and were able to furnish a home for a family displaced by the recent weather events. Because of your generosity, we filled a horse float and trailer — almost completely furnishing a safe, warm place for this whānau to land and begin again.
From beds and bedding to household essentials, every single item donated carried kindness with it.
To everyone who gave, transported, lifted and supported - thank you. Your aroha has made a real difference to a family who needed it most.

Ōtorohanga, you are a truly special community. I am so proud to serve alongside people who care so deeply for one another.

Kia kaha, keep looking out for each other 💛