12 January, 2.30pm Waihenga Bridge is now open after being closed earlier this morning due to high river levels.

Still closed due to flooding and/or slips is White Rock Road at Tuturumuri, and Pahaoa Road. Tora Road is currently inaccessible because of the flooding on White Rock Road and further impeded by a slip.

11 January: Cyclone Hale has brought widespread surface flooding to our district and a number of slips at Tuturumuri have closed White Rock Road.

11 January: MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the eastern hills and ranges of the Wairarapa from 2pm to 9pm today (11 January 2023). A heavy rain warning is in place until Thursday 5am.

Owing to the intensity of the rainfall, surface and/or flash flooding is expected, especially around low lying streams and waterways and may also lead to slips, creating potential hazards for walkers and trampers. Flash flooding can occur quickly and Civil Defence advises that people never try to drive, walk or swim through flood water.

Drivers are urged to take extreme care over surface flooding and poor visibility. River levels at the Waihenga Bridge on SH2 to Martinborough are monitored by Greater Wellington which you can view via a link on our website’s homepage, titled “Current River Levels”.

The bridge is generally closed by Waka Kotahi when water levels reach 4.5 metres. For information on whether the bridge has been closed, please visit the Waka Kotahi website

For information on alternative routes to Martinborough, please visit our website