21/01/2026
Kia ora Eastern Bay whanau. With all the recent and expected rainfall, we've been working with Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council since Tuesday to lower the lake level at Matahina.
For updates and more information please visit Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Take care out there 💚.
UPDATE: The Flood Room was deactivated at 3:30pm, 22 Jan.
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This is a pre-emptive warning from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, as a result of heavy rain Manawa Energy will be required to spill a controlled amount of water from Matahina Dam overnight tonight and we are advising that stock on low-lying land immediately beside the Rangitāiki River and particularly in areas upstream from Te Teko be moved to higher ground, due to a risk of flooding.
This warning does not apply to areas protected by stopbanks and the Regional Council stresses that there is no risk of flooding in Edgecumbe or the Rangitāiki Plains area.
Controlled water releases create space in the dam for incoming rain and help reduce peak river levels downstream, easing pressure on flood defences and helping protect our communities.
River levels below the dam will rise gradually and may cover low-lying land immediately beside the river, particularly upstream of Te Teko.
Water levels will stay higher than usual for a few days and will ease as rainfall and inflows reduce.
Our Duty Flood Manager is closely monitoring river levels throughout the event.
