‘Lake’ across the road at base of Pirongia
Sunday, 15 February 2026
A “lake” is pouring over a road at the base of Mt Pirongia - a key point of concern for Waipā District Council.
About nine households were evacuated on Saturday night and another 20 households above that point were blocked in, Mayor Mike Pettit said on Sunday.
Drone footage had showed “about a 140m lake in behind us” - it was about 9m deep and “pouring over Corcoran Rd”, he said in a video taken at the scene.
“This is one of our main concerns.”
A 3.5m culvert where the water should be flowing was 'absolutely 100% blocked'.
“The repair is not going to be quick, I wouldn't think,” he said. “But the main thing is that people don't traverse this road. Keep yourselves safe.”
The council had issued an urgent safety warning about Corcoran Road in Te Pahu on Saturday afternoon. The concern was a potential culvert failure that the council said could put anyone nearby at serious risk.
Pettit signed off a state of emergency for the district at 3pm on Saturday and by evening evacuations had begun. Pettit thanked those who went willingly.
A centre for Waipā residents who need to evacuate has been set up at Pirongia Rugby Sports Club, 2 Kane Street, Pirongia, the council said.
It’s for for people who cannot stay safely at home or with friends or whānau, and people are asked to bring essential items, including medication, warm clothing and chargers.
Pirongia School said some families had been evacuated after the flash flooding, and others had no power or road access, or significant property damage.
“We are especially holding in our thoughts one of our school families who has tragically lost a loved one as a result of the flooding.”
One man was found dead after the storm passed through on February 13-14, in a vehicle that was submerged on SH39, in Puketotara.
Around the district, water treatment plant is “offline”, crops have been wiped out and tracks and bridges on Mt Pirongia have been damaged or washed away.
The state of emergency is expected to be in place for seven days, a council statement said.
In Pirongia, Te Tahi Water Treatment Plant “has been significantly damaged … and is currently offline”, the council said.
Residents of Pirongia and Te Awamutu were being asked to use water for drinking and hygiene purposes only.
“Water tankers are being arranged and will be deployed if required,” the council said.
Pettit said on Saturday that the district was in a fast-changing situation.
“It’s important we have the right controls in place to support our communities and respond quickly where needed.”
The council had set up an Emergency Operations Centre, which was merged with Ōtorohanga’s. Essential infrastructure were being assessed.
Also counting the cost was Pirongia Mountain Vegetables, posting online that “a major part of our winter root-vegetable crop programme has gone”.
A before and after photo showed a paddock full of crops turned into a muddy bog.
They had been planted above the historic high-water mark to avoid the impact of floods, the post said, but this time the mountain - and its streams and rivers - couldn’t hold the deluge.
“She let it go, and all hell broke loose below.”
The financial impact couldn’t yet be calculated, “but gut feeling tells me this could be a track to hard to navigate”.
And seven tracks on the mountain have been closed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
“Initial assessments indicate that some tracks and bridges have been damaged or washed away,” a statement said.
The tracks closed for detailed assessments are: Bell Track, Hihikiwi Track, Mahaukura Track, Nikau Track, Ruapane Track, Tahanui Track and Mangakara Track.
“Tracks will be reopened on a case-by-case basis once they are confirmed to be safe for public use,” DOC Waikato operations manager Niwha Jones said.
Bookings for Pahautea Hut and Pahautea Campsite for the coming week have been removed temporarily, DOC said.
Anyone with existing bookings for this weekend and next week was being contacted and refunded.
Pirongia MTB club has also closed trails until further notice, saying many 'have been hugely impacted“.
“Please respect this decision for your own safety and the safety of others.”
And Waipā residents have been warned to watch out for landslides, which can happen for several days after heavy rain.
Potential warning signs include new cracks in the ground, paths or driveways; soil, rocks or debris appearing where it hasn’t before; tilting trees, poles or retaining walls, and unusual rumbling sounds during or after heavy rain, the council said.