Mild Relief for Tasman After King’s Birthday Storm System: "We Avoided Any Major Issues"

The Waimea River flooding a little under the Appleby Bridge

 Good Morning, Good Morning RICHMOND — The Tasman District has breathed a collective sigh of relief this week after a multi-day deluge over the Kings Birthday weekend that left the region largely unscathed. 

Despite heavy orange rain warnings and widespread anxiety, the weather event proved to be remarkably mild compared to the devastating floods of recent years. 

A few road closures remained in place across the district while roading crews waited for local floodwaters to recede. 

Many low-lying rural areas experienced slight surface flooding, and Tasman's Great Taste Trail suffered localised damage in several places. 

The broader region initially braced for far more significant disruption as MetService issued strict alerts for parts of the district. 

Memory of the estimated $50 million worth of flood damage from mid-2025 remained fresh for local communities. However, initial reports indicated that the regional infrastructure generally held up well against the elements.

Resilience in Golden Bay and Minor Surface Flooding

Speaking to Pigeon Post News, Tasman District Council Communications Officer Tim O'Connell confirmed that the district bypassed any major flooding catastrophes. 

"We got a bit of surface flooding in the vicinity of the upper Wai-iti but only one property evacuated," O'Connell said. "Golden Bay had some massive rain totals but they are somewhat resilient to inclement weather." O'Connell also noted that while monitoring systems flagged localised spikes near Richmond, the urban centre managed to escape the worst of the weather. "Richmond suburbia wasn’t too bad either — a couple of rising water alarms near Easby Park (Reservoir Creek), but overall, we avoided any flooding issues."

By the Numbers: Official Catchment Totals

Data from the final Tasman District Council Hydrology team report reveals exactly where the heavy rain concentrated. 

Headwaters took a massive hammering, with peak event totals reaching 739mm near Paradise Peak in the Golden Bay ranges. Canaan Downs in the Abel Tasman area recorded 673mm, while Slaty Peak in the Richmond and Bryant Ranges tracked 616mm of accumulation. 

Managed totals were significantly lower on the flats, with Tākaka township recording 189mm, Collingwood 105mm, and Motupiko 76mm. 

The extreme range rainfall triggered significant 10-to-20-year flood flows for the Wairoa and Waimea rivers. The Tākaka and Wai-iti rivers peaked at safer 5-year levels, while the Riuwaka hit a 10-year flow peak.

A Fine Balance

Tasman Mayor Tim King states that balancing public safety with avoiding unnecessary panic is a "fine balance" during severe weather events. To improve accuracy and prevent overstating threats, a new $5 million local rain radar will replace Tasman District relying on distant Wellington radar, which will enable more precise warnings to protect the region from destructive flooding like that seen in high-country areas, while avoiding overstating threats to the lowlands. Read the full story at Radio New Zealand. 

Floodwaters backed up behind Tasman's Great Taste Trail

Local Tracks and Trails Face Disruptions

Local recreation networks and trail monitors are advising outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution as surface water recedes across the district. On the Great Taste Trail, the section from Lower Queen Street to Redwood Road remains completely closed due to floodwater after the Waimea River rose significantly. Additionally, the unpaved paper road section of Higgins Road in Wakefield, between the end of the sealed road and Edward Street, is closed due to deep surface flooding. 

In regards to the cycle trails, all Kingsland Mountain Bike Tracks have been completely shut down and will remain closed for the next few days. Forestry and council teams are currently moving into the area to clear downed trees and recent slips caused by the heavily saturated soil.

MetService Local Forecast Today: 

The weather provider outlines the following:

• Friday 5 June (Today): 

       Note on Upcoming Rain Risk Takaka Area

MetService have issued a Heavy Rain Watch

Period: 13hrs from 7am - 8pm Fri, 5 Jun
Area: Buller and the Tasman Ranges
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain and possible thunderstorms, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Issued: 8:48pm Thu 4 Jun
Next update: 10:00am Fri 5 Jun

     For the rest of Tasman expect a lingering period of rain with    localised heavy falls through the morning. Conditions are forecast to steadily break apart into just a few isolated showers by the afternoon as the northerly winds die away.

• Saturday 6 June: The weather clears up beautifully across the Top of the South, bringing a mainly fine start to the weekend with light winds. There is just a small, residual chance of an isolated light shower lingering before completely drying out in the afternoon.
• Sunday 7 June: A stable, classic winter pattern settles over the district. The day is locked in to be completely fine and clear, though cooler southwesterlies will develop later in the evening.

Useful Links for Local Monitoring

• Track active regional changes via the MetService Severe Weather Warnings Home Page.
• Check real-time road conditions and closures on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi Journey Planner.
• Review live water statistics via the Tasman District Council River Flow Reports.
• Read detailed district metrics on the Tasman District Council Rainfall Reports.

As we look forward to the winter skies clearing up this weekend, a massive thank you goes out to our local roading crews, first responders, and hydrologists for keeping us well-informed and safe. Keep warm, check in on your neighbours, and we will catch you in the next update!

— Your friends at Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Tākaka Hill - Someone is asking “what’s happening with the closures on the hill?”

Tākaka Hill - Cooks under slip – ground beam construction and kerbing.

Tākaka Hill - Someone is asking “what’s happening with the closures on the hill?”

INFORMATION ABOUT SH60 Tākaka Hill NIGHT CLOSURES

Tākaka Hill Night closures will be in place from Sunday 30 November to Friday 19 December between 8pm and 5:30am (Sunday to Thursday nights). 

There will be one opening every night for traffic queued on each side of the hill. 

Traffic must be queued at the Aaron Creek Road closure point by 12:30am or at the Riwaka Valley Road closure point by 1am.

This work is completed each year to ensure the highway’s road surface is maintained and kept in a good state of repair. 

The intention is to complete the work, along with ongoing storm recovery repairs, to allow the road to reopen to two lanes before the busy summer holidays period.

Night closures in summary:

• Sunday, 30 November to Friday, 19 December. 8 pm and 5:30 am (no work on Friday or Saturday nights).
• SH60 CLOSED between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka.
• The road will open once each night for traffic at two road closure points.
• Vehicles travelling over the hill need to be at the Aaron Creek Road closure point by 12:30 am or at the Riwaka Valley Road closure point by 1 am.
• Outside of the closure times, stop/go traffic management will remain in place as recovery work continues. Expect delays of up to 20 minutes.
• Access will be available for emergency services

Ray Therkleson

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

King Charles III is to deliver Christmas message from former hospital chapel in break with tradition

The King, pictured at the Fitzrovia Chapel Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

 

Monarch chooses ‘enchanting’ London location that reflects personal themes of healthcare and community

The annual speech from the monarch is traditionally recorded earlier in December and broadcast on television and radio at 3pm on Christmas Day in Britain. New Zealand is the first country in the Commonwealth to broadcast the message, at 6.06pm on RNZ National, and again at 6.50pm on TVNZ's Channel 1.

I’m sure many families in Tasman today have been up early with children hunting through presents and many elderly people up preparing for Christmas for their families. It has been a hard year in many ways and for many people. For those who are alone this Christmas I especially wish you a peaceful day, to everyone have a relaxing day and have a very Merry Christmas.

The monarch recorded his annual address to the Commonwealth at a former hospital chapel, marking the first time in 18 years that it has not been filmed at a royal residence.

The choice of location reflects his key themes of community and healthcare, it is understood.

The King will reflect on an extraordinary year that involved cancer diagnoses for both him and his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, focusing in particular on the incredible work of the healthcare profession.

The festive broadcast was filmed almost two weeks ago at the tiny Fitzrovia Chapel, which was built at the heart of the former Middlesex Hospital in Pearson Square, central London.

The choice of venue will be seen as an interesting one for a monarch deeply interested in religion who has also this year found himself facing his own personal health crisis. The King, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February following prostate surgery, continues to receive weekly treatment.

It was the monarch’s own decision to break with tradition by filming the message at an external location rather than at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

He wanted to give the annual broadcast a fresher, more modern feel, demonstrating his long-held desire to “reach out into communities rather than bringing them into him”, a royal source said.

The Fitzrovia Chapel ticked all his boxes, whilst also happening to boast unique royal links. The King, who had not previously set foot in the church, was “absolutely enchanted” by its size, its “astonishing beauty” and its rich history, it was understood. He was delighted with the results.

The chapel, which features a golden mosaic ceiling over the nave, offering a space for both staff and patients to reflect and find solace. The gold leaf ceiling features 555 stars and more than 40 different types of marble. George VI, the King’s grandfather, laid the foundation stone when the hospital was rebuilt in 1928.

It was designed by John Loughborough Pearson, the award-winning architect behind buildings such as Truro Cathedral and Westminster Hall, as well as additions to St Margaret’s Church in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.

Its candlesticks, effigies, pews and altar cloths were all purchased with money raised by the medical community and it retains its original door, which was symbolically left ajar to allow people to visit day or night.

The first service held in the chapel was on Christmas Day 1891, with an official opening ceremony by the Bishop of London in June 1892. It quickly became a meeting point for groups of all faiths within the hospital community, as well as a wedding venue for both medical staff and patients.

The Middlesex Hospital was also where Diana, Princess of Wales opened London’s first dedicated Aids ward in 1983.

The living Christmas tree shown in the broadcast was decorated with sustainable decorations and later donated to Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support’s Can You C Me? project. It will be placed in the Royal Trinity Hospice, Clapham, the oldest hospice in the UK, of which the Queen has been patron since 2006.

On two occasions, the BBC broadcast from the chapel as part of a series of national hospital radio shows. Today, the building is used as a community space for exhibitions and other events, and is open to the public for those seeking a moment of solace.

“It is also a non-denominational chapel, which of course, is a key focus,” said the royal source. “Even though this is a Christmas address, His Majesty likes to reach out to those of all faiths and none.”

The Telegraph did know about the location of the recording since it was filmed but, at the request of the palace, agreed not to publish the details until a day ago.

The late Queen largely filmed her messages at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace or Sandringham, broadcasting to the Commonwealth every year of her reign apart from one.

In 1969, a written message was released instead because a repeat of the documentary made about the Royal Family was already scheduled for the holiday period. The first televised message was broadcast live in 1957.

Facts from the Telegraph London

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Looming changes forecast for Tasman District Council's 10 Year Plan

 Changes looming for Tasman District Council's 10 Year Plan

 

5 May, 2024

Tasman District Council’s Chief Financial Officer Mike Drummond has advised the Council of recent information that may have an impact on the decision-making within the Council's 2024-2034 Long Term Plan.

"We are advising ratepayers, and especially those who have made submissions on its Long-Term Plan/Tasman’s 10-Year Plan, that due to circumstances largely outside of its control the proposed rates revenue increase of 9.6% may increase by between 2 and 3 percent," Drummond said.

This will a create a new starting point for deliberations by Councillors later in the month.

"While still below the national average of proposed rate revenue increases, we considered it was important to inform residents as soon as we were made aware of the increased cost pressures and the possible impact on rates.

"We feel it is particularly important to make this information known before the submission hearings start on 8 May."

These cost pressures include:

• Increased costs of funding water services maintenance.
• Increased costs associated with the Waimea Community Dam.
• Downturn in forecasted revenue from building consent activity.
• Higher costs for water supply maintenance.   
• Increased insurance costs.
• A materially higher 2023/24 year end deficit particularly in building control and transport spending, due to storm costs

While no decisions have been made by Council, these additional cost pressures may have an impact on the final rates revenue increase depending on the decisions the Council makes in its final deliberations following the hearings that begin on 8 May.

While the consultation period has closed, those who are already making their submissions at the hearings scheduled to start 8 May, may like to amend their submissions in light of the new information.

"This latest information provides a new starting point for the Councillors deliberations and should not be seen as the final resting point for the rates revenue increase", concluded Drummond.

 

Further information is available at:  www.shape.tasman.govt.nz/tasmans-10-year-plan

Tasman District Council, Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Motueka Marine Farm exclusion zone

If you must enter the marked area, keep a good lookout and keep your speed to 5-knots. You can read more about our local marine farms here: https://www.tasman.govt.nz/marine-farms/

Tasman Harbourmaster implements direction for Marine Farm buoys exclusion zone off Motueka 

2 May, 2024

Safety concerns have prompted Tasman Harbourmaster to issue a direction implementing an exclusion zone beyond a marine farm located in Tasman Bay, near the Motueka River.  

This notice comes into effect from Thursday 2 May 2024 and will remain in place until further notice. 

Mussels farmers at the site have identified an issue around sunken lines refloating intermittently.  

A large number of lines have been found on the surface so far and we are working to assess the extent of this issue as well as re-weighting all sunken lines so they cannot refloat again. 

Unfortunately, there have been several instances where vessels have collided with unmarked lines. 

The Tasman Harbourmaster’s Office is now checking on the safety of these farms. 

“When we say intermittently, a line could be on the surface for some time and then sink below the surface for a time. We have been closely monitoring the farm, but it has been very difficult to find intermittently floating lines,” Tasman Harbourmaster Pete Renshaw said. 

“This means a boat may go through an area in the morning with no issues, and then coming home they get fouled on a line. 

“We want to ensure the safety of everyone on the water or operating within our coastal boundaries – Marine farms are work sites that undergo daily changes and multiple hazards can exist.  

“The task to remedy this situation may take some time, so we ask that extreme care is taken when in the waters around marine farms, and stay well clear if your presence is not necessary.” 

“As soon as we understand the extent of the issue – the sooner we will be able to lift the notice.” 

The marine farms are reserved areas and are marked with cardinal markers (buoys) which indicate safe water.  

All vessels not involved with the commercial operation are to remain outside of the farm reserve area bounded by the cardinal marks and yellow special marks, as noted in the map above.

Tasman District Council, Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

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Weekend Weather News

 May begins on the cooler side with southwesterly winds 

02/05/2024

Covering period of Thu 02 - Mon 06 May

We’re inching closer to winter and MetService is forecasting temperatures on the cooler side for the first two weeks of May due to winds generally approaching from the southwest. However, settled conditions are forecast for most of the country this weekend, so even if the morning is chilly, a lot of people will be in for a sunny afternoon.

Most parts of Aotearoa will feel the cold southwest winds today (Thursday). Although the winds ease on Friday this is when waves are expected to peak around coastal areas. A large southerly swell is forecast for Wellington from Friday afternoon into Saturday. Gradually the coastal conditions will ease over the weekend as winds tend to be on the lighter side. 

The southern end of the South Island is most likely to see showers on Friday but come Saturday the risk of rain decreases and most of the country will be in for a dry day. However, the clear skies and light winds mean chilly starts to the day. Parts of Central Otago will likely drop below freezing but it’ll be southern parts of the North Island which are in for the biggest departure from norm. Paraparaumu starts Saturday off around 4°C which is about five degrees below average for this time in May.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris states, “for most of the country, Sunday will look much the same as Saturday but people north of Waikato will need to keep an eye on the forecast as there is a band of moisture hanging around which could mean a soggy day for some. This rain isn’t associated with a well-developed weather system so it’s very likely the forecast details will change as we get closer to the time.”

The new working week kicks off with another burst of southwesterly winds moving up the country so expect showers and cool temperatures to make another appearance.

Bottom Line from our May Outlook: A dry and cold opening fortnight for most of the country, despite a notable burst of rain on May 1st. Westerly fronts return with regularity over the second half of the month and rainfall distributions look more like normal for late Autumn. Recall May is typically a wet month in NZ, so even with a drier than normal outlook overall we will still see a number of wet days, especially from mid-month.

MetService.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.