Media release issued from the Wellington Central Emergency Operations Centre.

A state of emergency has been declared for the Wellington region to support the response to ongoing severe weather, flooding and infrastructure impacts. 

The declaration was made by Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Management Group joint committee chair Anita Baker and applies across the Wellington region. 

Wellington Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Carrie McKenzie said this is a serious weather event with ongoing and evolving risks.

“The state of emergency gives responders the powers and coordination needed to keep people safe, support evacuations where required, and manage impacts across the region.” 

Heavy rain has saturated the ground, increasing the risk of surface flooding, slips and rapidly rising rivers. Some communities are already experiencing impacts, and further rain is forecast. 

“The priority is life safety. We are asking people to take this seriously, follow safety advice, and act early if they are in low‑lying or flood‑prone areas, which are those that have experienced multiple flooding events in recent years.” 

Emergency services, councils and partner agencies are working together to respond, with welfare and transport impacts being closely monitored. 

A state of emergency: 

·       Gives Civil Defence and emergency services additional legal powers to respond 

·       Allows authorities to order evacuations where necessary to protect life 

·       Enables access restrictions to unsafe areas 

·       Supports faster coordination and decision‑making across agencies 

·       Allows resources to be directed where they are most urgently needed 

These powers are used only where necessary and proportionate to the risk. 

A state of emergency does not: 

·       Mean everyone must evacuate immediately 

·       Change the weather forecast or remove risk on its own 

·       Affect access to essential services like emergency healthcare 

·       Mean military control or loss of personal freedoms beyond what is required for safety 

·       Mean schools will close 

People should continue with daily activities only where it is safe to do so, and follow official advice closely. People are advised to: 

·       Move out of low‑lying and flood‑prone areas for the next 24 hours. Flood-prone areas are those that have experienced multiple flooding events in recent years. 

·       Stay inside if their home is safe and avoid non‑essential travel. 

·       Never walk, swim or drive through flood water. 

·       Evacuate immediately to higher ground if flood waters rise. 

·       People should never wait for an alert if they feel in danger. 

·       Clear drains and gutters if safe to do so. 

·       Check on neighbours and those who may need assistance, if safe. 

An Emergency Assistance Centre has been established in the Wellington City Mission in Oxford Terrace to support people who have been evacuated from their homes. 

Further updates will be provided as the situation develops. People are encouraged to stay informed through MetService, WREMO, local council channels, and local media. 

For South Wairarapa updates, follow: Severe Weather Forecast: 20-21 April 2026 – SWDC

Media contact: 

021 745 691