Bay of Islands isite Visitor Information Centre

22/06/2026

The community is invited to share feedback on the near-final design for Kororāreka-Russell’s Cass Street and The Strand.

This has been co-designed over the past eight months by the Russell Roading Working Group, which includes representatives from the Russell Community and Far North District Council.

17/06/2026

📍 WHERE IN NORTHLAND?

Can you guess where this beautiful spot is? 🌊✨

💡 Hint: It's a coastal paradise between the Bay of Islands and Whangārei, known for its stunning beaches and marine reserve.

09/06/2026

A modern refurbishment of the layout and look of the Hokianga isite at Ōpononi starts on Monday 15 June. The refresh will cause minimum disruption to isite and council contact centre services with a dedicated isite desk set up temporarily at the Manea Footprints of Kupe centre, located nearby.

08/06/2026

📢 Cruise Ship Schedule Update!
The new 2026–2027 cruise ship schedule has arrived. We’ll be welcoming plenty of visitors to our shores over the next season 🌊🚢
Take a look at the schedule below and mark your calendars!

05/06/2026

📍 WHERE IN NORTHLAND?
Golden dunes, endless blue, and one seriously underrated view… 🌊☀️ Who knows this spot? 👇

05/06/2026

02/06/2026

Bay Belle Passenger Ferry Update, 6:15 pm, 2 June 2026

Sea conditions remain unsuitable for the Bay Belle Passenger Ferry to return to service this evening.

At this stage, the final bus replacement departure is expected to be 7:15 pm from Russell to Paihia. This service is subject to driver availability, and no further bus departures are currently planned after this time.

If any further bus departures become available this evening, we will update this post.

Please note that the Bay Belle is not expected to return to service for the rest of this evening.

The Bay Belle Passenger Ferry is expected to return to service tomorrow.

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Bay Belle Passenger Ferry Update, 12:58 pm, 2 June 2026

Sea conditions have picked up since this morning, so the Bay Belle Passenger Ferry will pause service from now until further notice.

While the passenger ferry is off the run, a bus replacement service will operate. The first bus will depart Paihia for Russell at 2:00 pm, with further departures throughout the day.

Please see the attached timetable for further bus departure times.

We’ll continue to keep an eye on conditions and will update you as soon as the Bay Belle is able to return to service.

Please check our page for the latest updates.

Northland Ferries Team

01/06/2026

Our 2025/26 summer road renewal season across Northland’s state highways has finished.

From September to May, we rebuilt, resurfaced, and resealed approximately 186 kilometres of highway to make journeys safer and smoother – that’s roughly the length of over 1,850 rugby fields.

This marks the completion of year two of another large state highway renewal programme delivered in Te Tai Tokerau Northland, as part of the 2024-2027 National Land Transport Programme.

This season wasn’t without challenges. Heavy rain and repeated storms slowed progress and meant some projects will now roll into the 2026/2027 season, so the job can be done to a safe and quality standard. All partially completed sites have been made safe and will be monitored and maintained over winter.

While our main summer works programme has finished, we don’t hibernate over winter. Crews will focus on essential maintenance including clearing drains, managing vegetation, and repairing potholes to keep travel on the state highways safe and reliable for you. We’re also busy planning for the next renewal season, with a similar level of activity expected as we continue this long-term investment in Northland’s roads.

We know roadworks can be disruptive, and we’re grateful to the community for your patience and for helping keep our roadworkers safe while we delivered these improvements. A big thank you as well to our crews for their mahi in challenging conditions to keep Northland moving.

With less roadworks happening over winter, we’ll also be pausing our regular e-news updates – but we’ll still share important updates as needed. Weekly newsletters will resume around September when our 2026/27 summer roadworks season begins.

In advance of next season, you can sign up to receive updates about planned roadworks on Northlands state highways: https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh-maintenance-programme/northland-state-highway-maintenance-programme

The photo shows roadworkers rebuilding State Highway 1 at Kaiwaka in February this year.

01/06/2026

Updated 6.15 am, 2 June:

Mōrena Northland,

Just a quick update this morning to let you know that all watches and warnings for the region have now been lifted.

While some areas experienced periods of heavy rain and downpours, mainly in the northwest of the region, for most places the rainfall was not as intense as forecast.

As you head out this morning, please continue to drive carefully and watch for any lingering hazards. Happy Tuesday everyone 🙂

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Updated 9 pm, 1 June:

Kia ora Northland,

This evening MetService New Zealand has updated the Heavy Rain Warning for our region.

While many areas have not yet seen significant rainfall today, heavy rain is still expected overnight, with the forecast now covering the period from 8pm tonight through to 6am Tuesday.

On top of what has already fallen, a further 50 to 90mm of rain is expected, with higher localised totals possible, especially in the north of the region.

Please check out the full warning and watch details here:
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north

There remains a risk of intense downpours, with peak rates of 25 to 40mm/h, and possible thunderstorms.

Although total rainfall amounts have reduced slightly, the risk of localised heavy downpours and impacts remains.

Please continue to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and take extra care if travelling, especially overnight tonight and early tomorrow morning.

If you come across any storm-related damage or road issues, please report them to your local council, or NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for issues on state highways.

And remember, if at any time you feel you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk, please call emergency services on 111.

Our team will keep monitoring conditions and will share any further updates as needed.

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Updated 11 am, 1 June:

Mōrena Northland,

MetService New Zealand has updated the weather warning for our region this morning.

🟠 An Orange Heavy Rain Warning remains in place for Northland, as well as a Strong Wind Watch 🟡.

Early this morning we saw some heavy rain move across parts of the region, with Kaitaia recording around 30mm/hr at 5am. While rain has eased in many areas since then, MetService is advising that more heavy rain is expected.

The warning has been brought forward, with more heavy rain expected to redevelop later today, especially from Monday afternoon into the evening, with periods of intense rain and localised downpours likely. These downpours could be heavy and develop quickly in some areas.

A Strong Wind Watch is also in place, meaning damaging northeast winds are possible, particularly in exposed areas.

With these forecast conditions we could see:
• Rapid rises in streams and rivers
• Surface flooding and slips
• Hazardous driving conditions, especially later today and tonight
• Reduced visibility during downpours

If you’re travelling this afternoon or evening, plan ahead and be prepared for changing conditions.

✅ More key reminders and tips:
➡️ Take care on the roads – slow down and watch for surface flooding
➡️ Stay away from streams and rivers during heavy rain
➡️ Be aware of landslide risks, especially in areas prone to slips
➡️ Clear gutters and drains while conditions are quieter
➡️ Secure outdoor items in case winds strengthen
➡️ Be ready for possible power outages
➡️ If conditions worsen and you feel unsafe, be prepared to move to a safe place
➡️ If at any time you feel you, your whānau, or your property are at immediate risk, please call emergency services on 111

📲 Stay informed:
🔗 For the full weather warning details and to stay up to date with the latest conditions: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north
🚗 State highways: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/northland or follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Northland
For local road updates, check your council channels:
Far North District Council
Kaipara District Council
Whangārei District Council

Our duty team is continuing to monitor this system closely and we’ll share updates as things develop.

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Kia ora Northland,

This morning, MetService New Zealand has upgraded the earlier Heavy Rain Watch to an 🟠 Orange Heavy Rain Warning for all of Northland, starting tomorrow as we head into the end of the King’s Birthday long weekend.

After a stretch of settled weather, this system is expected to bring heavy rainfall across the region from midday Monday through to Tuesday morning.

If you’re planning to travel back to, or around, the region at the end of the long weekend, please take extra care. Conditions may become hazardous, particularly Monday evening and overnight, with heavy downpours and reduced visibility.

Please keep a close eye on conditions, especially if you’re in areas prone to flooding or slips.

Key reminders:
➡️ Take extra care on the roads – slow down and watch for surface flooding
➡️ Avoid streams and rivers; they can rise quickly during heavy rain
➡️ Check drains and gutters are clear ahead of the rain
➡️ Have supplies ready in case of power outages or road closures
➡️ Report fallen trees, debris, or blocked drains to your local council

Stay informed:
🔗 Weather warnings: https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -north
🚗 State highway updates: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/northland or follow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Northland

For local road information, check your council channels:
Kaipara District Council
Far North District Council
Whangarei District Council

Here are the full warning details:

🟠 Heavy Rain Warning – Orange
Area: Northland
Period: 20hrs from 12pm Mon, 1 Jun – 8am Tue, 2 Jun
Forecast: Expect 80 to 130 mm of rain, with localised totals possibly reaching 150 to 200 mm. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h are expected Monday evening and night, with isolated downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h. Low chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact:Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions are possible.
Action: Clear drains and gutters, avoid low-lying areas, and drive cautiously.

Our duty team will continue to monitor the situation and will share updates if anything changes.