NZ Civil Defence

09/06/2026

Wellington City Council have terminated the state of local emergency for southern and eastern wards. Evacuated residents along the South Coast can return to their homes this evening.

Follow Wellington Region Emergency Management Office for up-to-date information. Heavy Swell Warnings remain in place overnight, so stay safe out there and don't take unnecessary risks by going down to the beach.

Visit www.metservice.com for weather watches and warnings.

HEAVY SWELL UPDATE | Tuesday 5.30pm

STATE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY LIFTED 💛

Wellington City Council have terminated the local state of emergency for southern and eastern wards.

🏠Residents are now safe to return home.

If you're travelling through coastal areas this evening, take care as surface debris may remain on roads. Large swells continue to be active and waves can reach roads and cross paths without warning.

👉 Stay well back from the coastline – large waves can arrive without warning.
👉 Avoid walking along beaches until waves have calmed.
👉 Expect possible road and public transport disruptions.

If you don't need to travel through coastal areas today, please consider delaying your journey until tomorrow.

Check road conditions before you making the trip home, and avoid stopping near the shoreline to watch waves.
Get the latest on any further warnings on Wellington City Council's page facebook.com/wellingtoncitycouncil or visit wellington.govt.nz/swell-warning

08/06/2026

A state of local emergency has been declared for Wellington’s Southern and Eastern Wards to support the response to the heavy swell warning for Wellington’s South Coast.

If life, health, or property is in danger, call 111 immediately.

For local updates go to Wellington Region Emergency Management Office or Wellington City Council

🌊⚠️HEAVY SWELL WARNING – TURAKIRAE HEAD to MATAIKONA, CAPE TERAWHITI to TURAKIRAE HEAD 🌊⚠️

Wellington South Coast: From 3am 09 June to 9am 10 June

Wairarapa Coast: From 12am Monday 09 June to 9am Wednesday 10 June

We are expecting impacts from significant swells throughout the day on Tuesday.

The biggest risk period will be 1-2 hours either side of high tide, which will be around 11.30am-12.30pm for most places.

The swells, particularly on Wellington’s south coast, are predicted to be higher than what was experienced when roads were impacted in June 2021. Back then, swells of 6.5m were predicted. Tomorrow, 8m swells are predicted.

Wellington City Council mayor Andrew Little has declared a local State of Emergency for Wellington's Southern and Eastern wards.

Residents of South Coast waterfront properties and those who are concerned about flooding stay somewhere else tonight Monday 8 June. Residents of the South Coast can expect extensive road closures on Tuesday 9 June. WCC is urging residents in affected areas, including pets, be out of properties no later than 9am on Tuesday 9 June.

An Emergency Assistance Centre at Wellington South Baptist church, 284 The Parade, will be open from 9pm Monday 8 June for those who don’t have a place to go tonight.

The inner harbour will also experience swells, although it is not yet known if roads will be impacted.

🛳️ Harbours and coastline:

👉 Stay out of the water and avoid beaches and coastal areas.
👉 Stay out of the harbor area.
👉 These swells could bring debris and surface flooding to roads, especially around high tide.
👉 Take care walking or driving along roads exposed to the sea during this time.

📍If you are in an affected area:

👉 People living close to swell and surf exposed coastlines should be prepared for the possibility of waves flooding roads and leaving debris, with potential for road closures, and potential damage to property.
👉If your home has been impacted by past swell events you should consider self-evacuating tonight before the impacts start tomorrow.
👉If you are planning to stay, prepare a grab bag with supplies relevant to your family in case you have to leave with short notice. You should also be prepared to shelter in place.
Move important items out of harm’s way, particularly if they are in low-lying garages.
👉 Bring pets inside.
👉 Check on neighbours who might need some support.
👉 For road debris or damage contact your local council.
👉 For serious, life safety issues, contact 111.

🚎Transport:

👉 The interisland ferries have been cancelled tomorrow.
👉 The east by west ferry is cancelled until at least 2pm tomorrow.
👉 Prepare for road disruptions, including public transport disruptions.
👉 Visit Metlink for up to date information about public transport, your local council for local roads, and NZTA/Waka Kotahi for State Highway information.

Keep up to date with the latest warning information through the WREMO Facebook () page and website and MetService.

07/06/2026

*** Update as at 12:39 pm

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.8 Philippines earthquake. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand. ***

The Government has introduced an Emergency Management Bill to replace the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. Learn more about the Bill.

05/06/2026

💬 HOW AN EMA IS SENT 💬

In advance of the EMA test on 14 June between 6-7pm, we wanted to answer some of your questions about how they work.

🛜 Cell towers broadcast an EMA to any device that connects to it, versus sending messages to individual phones, like a text message.

📍 This means a specific area of the country can be targeted, and an alert can be sent to people whenever they enter that specific area.

🚨 This is why some people can receive multiple alerts. If someone is traveling and moves from one cell tower to another, or someone's phone loses mobile signal and reconnects to a tower or bounces between two towers, an alert will be sent every time a new connection to a tower is made.

📱 This method of sending alerts is also why people can't opt out of EMAs. Nobody's personal information is needed to send an EMA, so there is no database to be removed from.

Find out more about Emergency Mobile Alerts at https://getready.govt.nz/ema

04/06/2026

Kia ora Aotearoa,

MetService has issued thunderstorm watches for much of the upper North Island, with storm activity expected from 3pm onwards.

These storms may bring heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and a low risk of small tornadoes in some areas.

Don't take chances — never drive, walk, or swim through floodwaters, and secure outdoor items that could become hazardous in strong winds.

Thunderstorms are unpredictable and can develop quickly with little warning. Don’t wait for an alert if you see floodwaters rising — get to higher ground immediately. Stay up to date with MetService New Zealand, your local Civil Defence Group, and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

For more tips on preparing for storms, check out: https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/storms

Stay safe, whānau!

03/06/2026

📱 WHEN CAN AN EMA BE SENT? 📱

In advance of the EMA test on 14 June between 6-7pm, we wanted to answer some of your questions about how they work.

❗ The alerts will only be sent when there are serious threats to life, health or property. Or, in the case of Sunday the 14th, for test purposes.

💬 If you get an alert, read the message and take it seriously. It will tell you what the emergency is and what to do. It will also tell you which agency sent the message and, if needed, where to go for more information.

Find out more about Emergency Mobile Alerts at https://getready.govt.nz/ema

02/06/2026

Kia ora whānau,

Looks like quite a few people felt the M4.3 earthquake near Wellington tonight.

Remember, DROP, COVER and HOLD is the right action to take during an earthquake. If you’re near the coast and the shaking is LONG or STRONG, then GET GONE.

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere.

For more advice on what to do before, during, and after earthquakes, visit getready.govt.nz/emergency/earthquakes

Stay safe, whānau.

02/06/2026

This week, we’re joining the Big Shout Out to celebrate the incredible volunteers who strengthen emergency management across Aotearoa New Zealand.

From community response teams and Neighbourhood Support groups to marae, NGOs, and spontaneous volunteers — your dedication helps build a safer, more connected, and more resilient country. To every person who gives their time, skills, and energy: thank you.

Your contribution makes a real difference.

30/05/2026

Kia ora

Heavy rain is forecast for parts of the South Island today and the North Island from tomorrow (Monday).

Stay updated through https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home and your local Civil Defence Emergency Management Group pages.

If you’re travelling this long weekend in areas under weather warnings drive to the conditions.

Remember, never try to walk, swim, drive, or play in flood water.

If you see rising water, head for higher ground immediately - don't wait for an alert on your phone.

Landslides are a risk not just during heavy rainfall, but in the days and weeks after. Trust your danger sense - if you suspect that a landslide is about to occur, get away immediately.

Stay safe whānau

29/05/2026

⚠️ New Zealand's annual test of the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system will be sent on Sunday 14 June between 6pm-7pm to all capable phones and other SIM-connected devices ⚠️

This test makes sure the EMA system works as it should nationwide, and helps keep you safe during future emergency events.

❗ If you have a hidden phone for your personal safety, or the sound of the alert affects your physical or mental health in any way, we recommend turning off any devices with a SIM connection between 6-7pm on Sunday 14 June, or putting them into flight mode.

👉📱 You can mute the sound of the alert by pressing the volume button on the side of your phone – this mutes the sound of the EMA while leaving the message on screen for you to read in full.

Find out more about Emergency Mobile Alerts at https://getready.govt.nz/ema