Contractors in Mangawhai Village are working to clear debris left by the tornado that struck on Jan. 26, according to the Kaipara District Council.
Damaged materials, including roofing and other building remnants, have been placed on berms in the hardest-hit areas, with cleanup operations continuing this week.
Kaipara District Mayor Craig Jepson (pictured) stated that immediate efforts are focused on clearing hazardous items.
“It’s a heck of a lot of stuff out there already, and it will take a bit of time to remove, so we’re just asking people to be patient,” he said.
Green waste and other non-hazardous materials will be collected later in the cleanup process. Jepson also encouraged residents to contact their insurers, as many policies include coverage for disposing of storm-related debris.
The emergency response has been coordinated across several organisations, including Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Police, and utility providers such as Northpower. The Kaipara Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) team, composed of trained council staff and emergency professionals, has been managing the operation since Monday.
In the most impacted areas – such as Old Waipu Road, Long View Drive, Moir Street, and Leslie Street – Civil Defence teams conducted welfare checks and aided affected residents. These door-to-door visits were aimed at ensuring immediate needs were met.
According to Northpower, nine properties in the Old Waipu Road area are still without power, though three are expected to regain electricity later today. Meanwhile, council building inspectors, supported by Auckland Council staff, have assessed over 90 properties for safety. A total of 35 stickers have been issued, indicating the condition of buildings, with 26 white and nine yellow.
Jepson acknowledged the collaborative efforts of local agencies and residents.
“What an effort by so many people. Overall, it’s been an incredible and swift response to an unexpected event – everyone has pitched in and is helping each other out,” he said.
He also urged those needing assistance with accommodation or essential supplies to contact the council at 0800 727 059 or visit the Molesworth Drive office.
The Mangawhai tornado is part of a rising trend of extreme weather events that are testing New Zealand’s insurance industry.
Following Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods in 2023, which together caused over $4 billion in insured losses, climate-related disasters are becoming a larger focus for insurers.
A recent review by climate risk specialists Joanna Aldridge of QBE Insurance and Rob Bell of Bell Adapt highlights several emerging threats:
The review also pointed out that many insurers still rely on catastrophe models designed primarily for earthquake risks. As weather-related events grow in frequency, the need to expand these frameworks has become increasingly urgent.
Compounded losses, such as back-to-back storms during prolonged weather cycles like La Niña, add to the complexity. For example, the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023 highlighted how sequential disasters can strain both resources and response capabilities.