CYCLONE VAIANU – MARAE OPEN FOR REFUGE
Mangatawa Marae (Tamapahore Wharenui and Ngatuahine Wharekai), 42 Tareha Lane, Kairua 3175, will be open from 6:00pm, Saturday 11 April 2026 for all seeking refuge during Cyclone Vaianu. Everyone is welcome — the kitchen, bathrooms, and showers will be available for use.
Our haukāinga and first-aiders will be wearing hi-vis and are here to awhi and support you. Please come prepared with:
Go-bags including essential medications, torches, spare batteries, power bank, and phone charger — make sure everything is charged before you arrive
At least 3 days’ supply of water and non-perishable kai, plus any kai you may want to prepare
Overnight gear (blankets, pillows, clothing)
Pets are welcome but must remain in your vehicles.
Access and Safety Information
Tareha Lane road conditions: There are potholes along the lane. Drive slowly, take extra care, and watch for other vehicles and pedestrians. If the road becomes inaccessible, please turn right onto Mangatawa Lane, then left onto Te Waiū o Te Tohorā Road, and continue until you reach the marae.
Sinkhole behind the clubrooms/wharepaku: This area has been coned off. Please stay clear, do not park there, and use the parks by the waharoa and wharekai instead.
Clubrooms closed: Do not enter due to unsafe roofing conditions.
Hikurangi maunga: A geohazard slope stability assessment (issued 2 March 2026) confirms the marae and papakāinga areas are safe from landslide risk. However, please avoid the Maungamana and Hikurangi slopes entirely, and evacuate immediately if you notice unstable ground.
Contacts and Support
Your onsite coordinators are:
Jessy McLeod – 022 074 0977
Kate Brown – 022 035 8386
Please contact them if you notice flooding, signs of unstable ground, property damage, or if you need further support or information.
Where to get trusted information:
Your local councils (who are also part of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group) are the first port of call for local information (like roading impacts, sandbag information).
Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Whakatāne - Whakatāne District Council
Te Kaunihera ā rohe o Kawerau - Kawerau District Council
For weather warnings and forecasts, visit MetService - www.metservice.com
Check NZTA https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner or NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Waikato & Bay of Plenty for the latest on BOP state highway conditions
Emergency radio stations
If there is a civil defence emergency, listen to your radio (battery, solar, or car radio if the power is out).
These stations will broadcast official information:
Tauranga & Western Bay
National Radio 101.0 FM & 819 AM
Newstalk ZB 90.2FM & 1008 AM
The Hits 95 FM
Breeze 95.8 FM
More FM 93.4 FM
Rotorua
National AM 1188
National FM 101.5
Concert 90.3
Newstalk ZB 747 AM
The Hits 97.5 FM & 90.9 FM
More FM 95.9 FM
Te Puke
1XX 89.0 FM & 1242 AM
Whakatāne
National Radio 101.7 FM
1XX 90.5 FM
SunFM 106.5
TumekeFM 96.9
Edgecumbe, Ōpōtiki & Kawerau
1XX 90.5 FM
Ōhope Beach
1XX 92.9 FM
We will continue to update as new information comes through. Please stay prepared, stay connected, and look after one another e te whānau. E Ihowa, manaakitia mai ki a tātou katoa.