Council adopts Annual Plan 2026-27 and sets rates at 16.9% Published on 09 July 2026 Today Waitaki District Council adopted its Annual Plan 2026-27 at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council. Following adoption of the Annual Plan, and after a long and passionate debate, councillors passed the Resolution to Set Rates – establishing an average rate for the Waitaki District of 16.9% as required by the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002. Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Community
Waitaki District State of Emergency transitions into Recovery Published on 09 July 2026 The Local State of Emergency for the Waitaki District has transitioned into Recovery after assessment confirming the immediate risk to public safety has reduced. Mayor Mel Tavendale agreed to the lift the State of Emergency for the Response at 11.52 am this morning and also agreed to a transition period for Recovery at the same time. The Recovery transition will remain in force for 28 days unles Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Media Releases
Conserve Water Notice on Oamaru Water Supply Published on 09 July 2026 Waitaki District Council is asking all customers on the Oamaru Water Supply to conserve water following this week's significant storm event. This includes residents and businesses in Oamaru, Kakanui, Hampden and Moeraki, including those who receive their water via storage tanks.Heavy rainfall has affected the quality of the source water supplying Oamaru, with increased turbidity (cloudiness). Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements
State of Emergency remains as Waitaki crews assess ongoing impacts Published on 08 July 2026 The Local State of Emergency for the Waitaki District remains in place and will be reviewed on Thursday 9 July, as authorities continue to assess impacts and monitor conditions across the district.The Waitaki Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains active, with Council staff, emergency services and partner agencies continuing to coordinate the response and support affected communities. Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Media Releases
State of Emergency remains in place as Waitaki monitors further heavy Published on 08 July 2026 The Local State of Emergency for the Waitaki District remains in place and will be reviewed later this afternoon as authorities continue to monitor weather conditions and the potential impacts of further rainfall. Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Media Releases
Waitaki Emergency Operations Centre operating overnight Published on 07 July 2026 MetService has issued a Yellow Heavy Rain watch for Coastal Otago from 3am Wednesday to 3pm Wednesday. The forecasts includes a period of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. The Waitaki Emergency Operations Centre will remain active overnight monitoring conditions and are ready to respond. Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Media Releases
Waitaki State of Emergency remains to monitor weather developments Published on 07 July 2026 The Waitaki Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to operate this morning with an overnight assessment confirming conditions have stabilised and the immediate threat to public safety has reduced. Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Media Releases
Waitaki Emergency Operations Centre to monitor overnight Published on 06 July 2026 The Waitaki Emergency Operations Centre will remain active overnight monitoring the situation. The localised state of emergency for Waitaki District will remain in place overnight. Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Media Releases
Localised Waitaki District state of emergency remains overnight Published on 06 July 2026 While rain is forecast to taper off overnight and river levels are dropping, the localised state of emergency for Waitaki District will remain in place overnight. Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Media Releases
Flood Response Continues Published on 06 July 2026 A Local State of Emergency remains in place for the Waitaki district as emergency services, council staff and partner agencies continue responding to significant flooding across Oamaru and surrounding areas. Tagged as: , Alerts & Announcements, Media Releases