The Whakatāne District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be stood down at 5pm today after forecasted heavy rainfall and severe winds were significantly less than predicted. A National State of Emergency will remain in place to support a coordinated response effort across the country for districts recovering from the destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. 

Under the current national state of emergency we are monitoring and supporting the emergency response to Cyclone Gabrielle across the North Island.

Whakatāne District Council (Council) advises as from 8am tomorrow (Monday, 6th February), a section of Manawahe Road will be reduced to one lane, as contractors work to lower water levels on neighbouring property. 

The sun’s out, summer seems to have finally arrived, and the grass is growing faster than our mowing team can put their earmuffs on.

Whakatāne District Council is calling for patience from the community as staff deal with areas of long grass at the District’s parks and sportsgrounds.

Due to several severe crashes over the holiday period, Whakatāne District Council will temporarily be reducing the speed limit on the Ōhope Hill from 80km to 60km.

Christmas shoppers passing by and visitors to Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi / Whakatāne Library and Galleries, will have their curiosity sparked following the instalment of a striking new exhibition sitting front and centre at the Gallery.

Some gross surprises in Whakatāne and Murupara’s wastewater systems has prompted Whakatāne District Council to remind the community about what can and can’t be flushed down toilets and drains.

Whakatāne District Council has provisionally received 3.5 million to fund two new cycling and walking trails in Whakatāne.

To keep the Whakatāne River bar passable for big boats, Whakatāne District Council will start dredging next week.