Weather Event 29 Dec 2025 - Update Three - Conserve water immediately
Published on December 31, 2025
Horowhenua District Council is continuing to manage the impacts of recent severe weather, with ongoing pressure on water and wastewater systems across parts of the district due to earlier power outages.
Power loss to several water and wastewater treatment plants has meant Council has had to rely on emergency back-up generators to maintain essential services. In some locations, this has placed additional strain on operations.
The key concern at present is the combination of the busy New Year period and high visitor numbers. Foxton and Foxton Beach are experiencing low reservoir levels as demand increases.
Council is able to truck additional water into the network as a precaution to protect supply and ensure contingency for firefighting if required. However, this is a costly measure, and Council is asking residents and visitors to help by using water wisely.
Foxton and Foxton Beach are in their holiday peak period, when storage can be low and daily demand can exceed production at times.
Residents and visitors in Foxton, Foxton Beach and Tokomaru are asked to:
- take shorter showers
- avoid watering lawns and gardens
- delay non-essential water use such as washing cars and outdoor cleaning
- follow the golden rule, if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.
Access to the Tokomaru Water Treatment Plant was restricted yesterday because of fallen trees. Local Waters teams are on site today assessing reservoir levels and continuing to monitor supply. A generator is currently in place at the Tokomaru Wastewater Treatment Plant to ensure services continue.
Electricity update:
Power has now been partially restored in Shannon and Tokomaru townships, and work is continuing across surrounding areas today. Because a number of individual line and pole replacements are still required, some households may continue to be without power for a period while repairs are completed.
Residents are encouraged to check in on neighbours and look out for one another, particularly anyone who may need extra support. Thank you for your patience while crews work through this.
Further updates will be shared on the Electra Facebook page as new information becomes available.
If you see or hear anything unusual - such as sparks, arcing, or loud bangs from power lines - please contact Electra immediately on 0800 LOST POWER (0800 567 876).
If you are without power, you can report an outage or check for updates at electra.co.nz or by calling 0800 567 876.
Council will continue to closely monitor the situation, including reservoir levels and provide updates as needed.