Horowhenua Civil Defence Emergency Management Update 4
Published on February 16, 2026
Horowhenua District Council continues to respond to the impacts of the severe weather event across the district. Conditions are easing, with no weather warnings currently in place, while work continues with contractors, service providers and emergency management partners to manage impacts across essential services and public spaces.
Welfare, weather and public safety
Our welfare team has been checking on members of the community who have reached out. If you have any welfare needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Residents are still encouraged to continue taking care while driving and report hazards to the appropriate authorities. If you are in immediate danger, please call 111.
Powerlines and outages
We’re aware of a number of properties still without power across Horowhenua, including in Hōkio Beach, Waitārere Beach, Shannon, Tokomaru, Foxton and Foxton Beach. Electra will be working hard to restore power as quickly as possible but some properties may be without power overnight.
What you can do:
- Keep torches, batteries, and a charged phone handy.
- Avoid using candles where possible.
- Keep fridges and freezers closed to protect food.
- Check on neighbours, especially those who may need extra help.
If you have welfare concerns, please contact Council.
If you are worried for your safety, call Emergency Services immediately.
Road closures and updates
The following roads are affected due to fallen trees and debris, contractors are out investigating and working to clear debris and restore access once safe to do so:
- Cummerfield Road, Foxton - closed
- Kukutuaki Road, Levin – closed
- Motuiti Road, Foxton – closed
- Ridge Road, Foxton – closed
- Ōpiki and State Highway 56 closed from Rangiotu Road to Tane Road
- Paranui Road, Foxton – closed
- Oturoa Road, Levin – closed
- Newth Road, Foxton – closed
Residents are asked to avoid affected areas.
The following roads have re-opened:
- Kawiu Road, Levin
- Koputaroa Road, Levin
- Moutere Road, Hōkio Beach – open
- Hokiō Beach Road – open
- State Highway One north of Foxton
- Wylie Road, Foxton Beach
Parks and reserves – temporary closure
Due to widespread tree damage across the district, all Council parks and reserves remain temporarily closed as a precaution.
Although the weather has begun to settle, significant debris remains and our contractors will be working over the coming days to inspect sites and clear fallen trees and branches.
These closures are necessary to protect public safety while clean-up work is carried out. Parks and reserves will reopen progressively once they have been assessed and it is safe to do so.
Kerbside rubbish and recycling
Due to the weather conditions, kerbside rubbish and recycling collections in Foxton Beach and Foxton township west of the main highway were affected earlier today.
If your recycling bins and crates were not collected due to unsafe conditions, recycling will need to wait until the next scheduled collection in two weeks. Alternatively, recycling and rubbish can be taken to the Levin transfer station.
Transfer stations and landfill
- Levin Transfer Station is now open to the public.
- Foxton Transfer Station remains closed. The next public opening is expected to be Thursday, weather permitting.
- Bonny Glen Landfill remains closed until further notice.
Green waste drop-off
The recent severe weather has left many of us with fallen trees and branches. To help with clean-up, Council has set up temporary green waste drop-off areas at the following locations:
- Moynihan Park, Shannon – 15 Engles Road
- Donnelly Park, Levin – by the BMX track, Adkin Avenue
- Victoria Park, Foxton – by the Squash Club, Victoria Street
- Manakau Domain – by the carpark, Waikawa Beach Road
- Waitārere Domain – by the carpark, tennis court end, 627 Waitārere Beach Road
Please drop off storm-related green waste only. We will share more information regarding opportunities to repurpose the material, and support community use where appropriate.
Important information
- Keep updated with the weather via MetService.
- Check the NZTA Journey Planner for state highway closures, and relevant district and city council websites for local road closures.
- Check your local lines company website for power outage information.
- Visit horowhenua.govt.nz or the Council Facebook page for the latest updates, along with local media outlets.
Thank you for your patience, care for one another and support for crews working to restore services. We encourage residents to continue reporting any issues or hazards so response teams can address them as quickly as possible.
Unless there are significant changes in circumstance, this will be our last media release for today.