Rain is predicted to ease off today for much of the North Island. Photo: Screenshot / MetService
A music festival has been cancelled in Tauranga due to weather concerns as much of the upper North Island has been battered by heavy wind and rain this week.
The Coromandel peninsula has had nearly 400mm of rain since Wednesday, sending holidaymakers fleeing, slips falling and closing roads.
But Coromandel Civil Defence controller Garry Towler said State Highway 25 had reopened overnight after closures left some communities isolated yesterday.
He said the wind had eased and the rain should follow suit about 3pm today, but people should stay put until then because of flooding around the district.
"There is surface flooding right around the district and there's a lot of debris still coming down.
"We aren't out of the woods, but we have managed to get the Coromandel open to some degree."
However, Thames-Coromandel mayor Len Salt said local businesses were still thriving despite the wild weather driving many holidaymakers away.
"A lot of people have stayed and said 'you know what, we're on holiday we're going to go out for dinner. The cafes are pumping, the restaurants are all booked, the movie theatres are packed. It's raining, so what, we're on holiday, we're going to have a great time, so what'."
Len Salt said holidaymakers planning to go should stay away from the region for a few more days while the roads were cleaned up.
Radar accumulations around Coromandel shows pockets of 60-80mm accumulated in the last 24 hours. Although the rain has eased off a bit this morning, more is still to come for the remainder of the day, https://t.co/qHyE5zzql5 for latest details pic.twitter.com/fg3WZr2X8b
— MetService (@MetService) January 5, 2023
Heavy rain warnings are also in place for the Bay of Plenty until midnight, and Tasman and Westland until noon.
Towler said those who had to hit the road should take extra care.
"It is getting easier to move around and what we are saying to everybody is before you depart, wherever you are going, check in with our social media pages, check in with Waka Kotahi and MetService just to make sure that your journey's going to be safe."
FINAL UPDATE 5:50PM#SH25 will remain closed between Wade Rd, Whitianga and 309 Rd, Kaimarama as further flooding is anticipated during the night. There will be no further updates on this post this evening. Check our website for overnight updates: https://t.co/NmxhGjxZMS, ^CO pic.twitter.com/5ILOra6AWY
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) January 5, 2023
However, Towler said the region was readying itself for another bout early next week.
Towler told Morning Report there was a big clean-up ahead before the next deluge hits on Tuesday.
He said it was unprecedented for a storm to last 72 hours in the Coromandel, and it would be another week before the area was back to normal.
Friday's emojicast:
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 5, 2023
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Juicy Festival in Tauranga cancelled
Meanwhile, Juicy Festival's Tauranga stop, which was due to begin today, has been cancelled due to safety concerns about the weather.
Among the artists set to feature were Nelly, Ne-Yo, Ja Rule, Chingy, Xzibit, Pretty Ricky, Mya, Twista, Bow Wow and Lloyd.
"It is simply too dangerous to host the event with the weather conditions," the music festival's organisers said via their social media.
"We are heartbroken, this was expected to be one of our biggest shows of the tour.
"Our team have been on-site through the night and the decision to cancel has been made this morning. We trust you understand this call was not made lightly but safety is our highest concern."
But organisers said the Palmerston North, Auckland and Whangārei stops were still on track to go ahead.
Tickets were not transferable from the Tauranga event but refunds would be available, organisers said.
Several other music festivals and concerts have been called off this week due to weather including Summer Haze in Matakana and a concert by UB40, Jefferson Starship and Dragon in Tauranga.
