Waikato hazards

MetService is the place to keep up to date with latest weather forecasts.

Floods

Floods happen often in New Zealand and can cause a lot of damage and loss of life.

Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water do not wait for official warnings. Go immediately to higher ground. 

Landslides

Landslides can happen without warning. They are often triggered by heavy rain, earthquakes and, in some cases, human activity.

The diverse nature of the Waikato region’s landscapes produces different types of landslides in different areas. Check if your area might be prone to landslides. 

Thunderstorms

New Zealand often gets hit my storms due to our position in the world. Storms can bring heavy rain, hail, lightning, strong winds, and tornadoes. 

Severe weather top tips

• Put safety first. Don’t take any chances. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater. Check on your neighbours and anyone who may need your help.
• Move pets to a safe place and move stock to higher ground. If you have to leave, take your pets with you. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them.
• If your property is damaged, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company. Take photos of any damage. It will help speed up assessments of your claims.

All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes, including the Waikato region. 

The Waikato region is generally considered to be less hazardous for earthquakes than much of New Zealand. However, there are still many known faults that could cause significant damage, as well as faults still under investigation, such as those close to Hamilton. We may also experience ground shaking from faults outside of the region, such as the Hikurangi Subduction Zone (off the east coast of New Zealand).

There are three large active faults considered 'risky' in the Waikato region:

• The Kerepehi Fault - extending along the Firth of Thames and the Hauraki Plains.
• The Rangipo Fault - on the eastern side of Mount Ruapehu.
• The Wairoa North Fault - running along the Bombay Hills north-east of Mercer.

The area between Taupo and Rotorua is the most vulnerable part of our region for earthquakes. It contains many active fault lines running in a north-east direction.

Earthquake may also cause hazards, including tsunami, liquefaction, landslides and rockfall. 

Earthquake top tips

• In an earthquake, Drop, Cover and Hold. Drop down on your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck. Hold on to your shelter.
• Do not run outside or you risk getting hit by falling bricks and glass.
• If you are near the coast, remember Long or Strong, Get Gone. Drop, Cover and Hold until the shaking is over. If the earthquake lasts longer than a minute or is strong enough to make it difficult to stand, move quickly to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can out of tsunami evacuation zones.

All of New Zealand’s coastline is at risk of tsunami. Knowing the warning signs and the right action to take can help save lives.

Remember: Long or Strong, Get Gone.

A tsunami is a series of powerful waves with strong current. They can be caused by an earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide or even a meteorite impact. They can travel many thousands of kilometres across the oceans at speeds of up to 800 kilometres per hour.

Know the natural warning signs and take action

For a local source tsunami, there won’t be time for an official warning. It is important to recognise the natural warning signs and act quickly.

If you are near a shore and experience any of the following, take action. Do not wait for official warnings.

• Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand or a long earthquake that lasts more than a minute
• See a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• Hear loud or unusual noises from the sea

Drop, Cover and Hold during the shaking. As soon as the shaking stops, move immediately to the nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as you can.

New Zealand is situated on the Ring of Fire, around the Pacific Ocean. This ring contains about 90% of the Earth’s active volcanoes. 

Volcanic activity 

New Zealand has one of the most active volcanic systems on Earth.

The areas most at risk of volcanic activity in New Zealand are Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti, Hawke's Bay, northern Manawatū, Northland, Taranaki and Waikato.

Volcanic activity can include ashfall, falling rocks, hot gases and volcanic rock, lava flows, and massive mudflows.

Volcano top tips 

• During ashfall, stay indoors. Volcanic ash is a health hazard, especially if you have respiratory difficulties such as asthma or bronchitis.
• Bring pets inside and move livestock into closed shelters. Make sure that animals have supplementary feed and access to clean drinking water.
• Avoid unnecessary exposure to ash until it has settled. If you have to go outside, wear protective clothing. 

Geothermal activity

The Waikato region contains about 70% of New Zealand's geothermal systems.

Geothermal areas contain natural hazards such as hot springs, boiling mud pools and unstable ground, and can produce hydrothermal eruptions.

Normal climate changes are being affected by a gradual increase in the levels of greenhouse gases around the earth’s atmosphere. This could see a rise in sea levels and changes in climate patterns, increasing the frequency and severity of storms, rain, coastal flooding and erosion in the Waikato.

Take a look at the Regional Council's Regional climate change risk assessment project here.

Coastal erosion

Coastal erosion is a natural process that is part of natural beach behaviour. Short-term erosion can be caused by storms without causing permanent change in the shoreline - the area usually recovers over time. Long-term erosion occurs when there is a permanent change to the shoreline, which can be caused by a lack of sediment supply or by sea-level rise. 

Coastal Erosion is evident in all our region's coastal areas: the eastern Coromandel Peninsula, the Firth of Thames and the West Coast.

People’s activities can put pressure on our coasts by interfering with natural coastal processes. In many cases, this increases coastal hazard risk. 

Take a look at Waikato's Regional Hazards Portal and see information about your place here.

Drought is generally considered to be a shortage of rainfall over an extended period of time. This can lead to a reduced volume of water in waterbodies such as rivers, dry ground, and lack of plant growth. 

Droughts result in environmental and economic damage that can linger for lengthy periods of time in affected areas, especially for our rural communities.

The Waikato has recorded its driest decade from 2011 to 2021. Historically, water shortage and drought within the Waikato region has not been as severe as in other regions of the country, such as Otago, Marlborough, and Hawke's Bay. However, drought events have impacted communities and the Waikato region's economy in the recent past.

Areas typically most affected by water shortage and drought conditions are in the north: the Hauraki Plains, lower Waikato Basin, Thames-Coromandel and Pukekohe.

Outdoor and rural fires can threaten native and exotic forest, scrub, peat and tussock areas, as well as the people, property, animals and plant life living on them. 

The risk of wildfire threat to housing is increasing. Factors such as climate change and denser populations living nearer to the natural environment have significantly increased this risk. 

In New Zealand, 99% of wildfires are started by people. 

What can you do to help?

• Always have a fire permit, and check for fire bans before lighting a fire. Check the current fire season status on the Check It's Alright website.
• Check Fire and Emergency NZ guidance if planning on lighting outdoor fires or undertaking spark and heat generating activites. 
• Create safety zones around your house to act as a barrier against fire. Keep grass short and grow low flammability plants. Regularly clean gutters and remove leaves and twigs. 
• Keep mufflers and spark arresters on agricultural equipment maintained.
• Make sure your driveway clearance is at least 4 metres wide and 4 metres high to allow access for emergency vehicles. 

If in doubt - do not light a fire.