Archive: News

Are you ready to vote? Electoral Commission visits South Wairarapa Libraries this month 

If you’d like to make sure you’re ready to vote, the Electoral Commission will be visiting South Wairarapa’s three libraries later this month, offering the community a chance to drop in, ask questions and get help with enrolment. …

Read more

Council adopts Annual Plan with lower rates than forecast

South Wairarapa District Council has adopted its 2026/27 Annual Plan with a total rates increase lower than forecast in the 2025–34 Long Term Plan (LTP) and a renewed commitment to investing in…

Read more

Council office closed due to concerns about rising river levels

South Wairarapa District Council office has now closed this morning due to concerns about rapidly rising river levels. Our service centres remain open for the community at both Featherston Library…

Read more

Heavy Rain Warning – 7-8 July

Kia ora South Wairarapa, Page updated at 10.30pm Wednesday 8 July MetService has updated their Heavy Rain Watch to a Warning for Wairarapa and the Tararua Ranges until 6am Thursday…

Read more

Cape Palliser Road closure

Following the reopening of the Turanganui bridge on Lake Ferry Road, the extent of damage along Cape Palliser Road has been discovered to be significant.  To allow roading crews to…

Read more

Tūranganui Bridge reopened for necessary travel

We’re pleased to share that the Tūranganui Bridge has reopened, restoring a public access route between the coastal communities that have been isolated since the recent weather event. While this is a very important milestone,…

Read more

Weather response update – 29 June 2026

The Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been established to coordinate the response to the severe weather impacts from late last week and over the weekend. The main focus is…

Read more

Severe weather update – 28 June 2026

Kia ora South Wairarapa, The weather has eased across the region however river levels remain elevated, and surface flooding remains. There are ongoing impacts across the Wairarapa roading network and many roads remain closed due to flooding…

Read more

Turanganui Bridge washout

The Turanganui Bridge on Lake Ferry Road has been wiped out on its northern side. This has isolated several communities which are temporarily cut off. Initial assessments indicate that repairs could take until midweek to establish access, depending on the current weather conditions…

Read more

Council meeting highlights 

South Wairarapa District Council met on Thursday 25 June and adopted the 2026/27 Annual Plan, confirming the financial and operational direction for the year ahead. The meeting also focused on local government amalgamation, a funding request and other key topics…

Read more