Inspire Aotearoa

11/04/2026

See Conrad Waitoa Councillor - Hawke’s Bay Regional Council post 👇

CYCLONE VAIANU – MORNING UPDATE 🌀

** 11am, Sunday 12 April **

Morena koutou, Hawke’s Bay.

As forecast, Cyclone Vaianu delivered impacts overnight, including power outages across Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

The cyclone is tracking as expected down the east coast of the North Island and is expected to affect Hawke’s Bay this afternoon and evening.

While the most severe impacts are expected around Coromandel and Bay of Plenty (where Red Warnings are in place), we still need to be prepared here.

🌬️ WHAT TO EXPECT IN HAWKE’S BAY

• Severe gale easterlies, especially about Mahia Peninsula
• A lull as the eye of the storm passes over
• A second round of strong northwesterly winds this evening
• Gusts up to 130km/h in exposed areas

⚠️ WHAT YOU CAN DO

• There is still time to prepare — secure or bring inside anything that could be lifted by strong winds

• Be ready for power cuts — have torches and a battery or solar-powered radio

• Check on neighbours, especially those who are elderly or isolated

During the storm:
• Stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel
• Strong winds can bring down trees, powerlines, and debris

If conditions change around you:
• If you see water rising, move to higher ground early
• Once safe, stay well out of floodwater
• If you see signs of a landslide, leave immediately

Don’t wait for official alerts if you feel unsafe — trust your judgement and act early.

🌧️ FORECAST – HAWKE’S BAY

MetService updated its severe weather forecast, with more rain now expected in parts of Hawke’s Bay. The Orange Heavy Rain Warning remains in place for the Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges, where rainfall totals have increased to 150–180mm over 12 hours from 10am to 10pm Sunday — a significant amount of rain, around a 5-year event or more.

A new Orange Heavy Rain Warning is also in place for the coastal hills south of Cape Kidnappers, with 70–100mm expected from 11am Sunday through to midnight. Most of this rain is expected to fall in the ranges and coastal hills, rather than across the whole region.

Rivers including the Tukituki, Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri are expected to rise and may fill their main channels, with water possibly reaching near or just above stopbanks in some areas.

Localised flooding is possible, especially in low-lying areas, although other parts of Hawke’s Bay remain under a Heavy Rain Watch with no major impacts expected at this stage.

A Strong Wind Warning also remains in place. Winds are expected to shift from very strong northeasterlies to strong northwesterlies as the storm passes over, with particularly strong gusts possible around Mahia this afternoon.

Heavy Rain Warning (Orange)
• Area: Coastal hills of Central Hawke’s Bay south of Cape Kidnappers and Wairarapa
• Timing: 11am to midnight Sunday (13 hours)
• Rainfall: 70–100mm expected in coastal hills, with lesser amounts elsewhere
• Peak rates: 25–40mm/hour possible in localised downpours this afternoon and evening
• Confidence: Low chance of upgrade to Red Warning
Impacts:
• Streams and rivers may rise rapidly
• Surface flooding and slips possible
• Driving conditions may be hazardous
What to do:
• Clear drains and gutters
• Avoid low-lying areas
• Take extra care when driving

Strong Wind Warning (Orange)
• Area: Hawke’s Bay and Taihape
• Timing: 9am Sunday to 5am Monday (20 hours)
• Winds: Severe gale easterlies, especially around Mahia Peninsula, changing to severe gale northwesterlies later today
• Gusts: Up to 130km/h in exposed places
• Confidence: Moderate chance of upgrade to Red Warning
Impacts:
• Possible damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures
• Difficult driving conditions, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles
What to do:
• Secure outdoor items
• Drive cautiously

Heavy Rain Watch
• Area: Northern Hawke’s Bay (north of Cape Kidnappers) and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti south of Tolaga Bay
• Timing: 9am to 7pm Sunday
• Periods of heavy rain possible, which may approach warning levels
• Moderate chance of upgrade

🌊 COASTAL SWELL

A large northeasterly swell is expected to peak around 3pm today.
Areas most exposed include:
Mahanga, Westshore, Haumoana, Te Awanga, Kairakau and Pourerere.
Impacts may include:
• Coastal erosion
• Seawater flooding in low-lying areas
• Effects at river mouths

🚨 EVACUATIONS

Evacuations are in place for specific coastal areas.
For the latest information, visit:
• Napier City Council - Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri
• Hastings District Council - Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga
• Central Hawke's Bay District Council
If you feel unsafe, don’t wait — evacuate early.
If there is immediate danger, call 111.

🏠 Police are carrying out reassurance patrols in evacuated areas.

Officials will advise when it is safe for residents to return.

POWER

Unison crews are on standby, and if outages occur they will restore power as quickly as possible — when it’s safe to do so.

⚠️Always remember to treat all downed lines as live. Stay well clear and report them to 0800 2UNISON immediately.

💡 Report faults and outages to 0800 2 UNISON (0800 2 86476) or www.unison.co.nz/outages

🛠️ WHAT WE ARE DOING

A local State of Emergency remains in place for parts of Napier, Hastings, and Central Hawke’s Bay - specifically, Ahuriri Ward (Napier), Heretaunga Ward, Kahuranaki Ward (Hastings), and Aromoana-Ruahine Ward (Central Hawke’s Bay), owing to the possible impacts of Cyclone Vaianu.

• Declared at 11:56am Saturday due to the expected impacts of Cyclone Vaianu
• Enabled Civil Defence to use emergency powers, including evacuations
• Targeted evacuations began yesterday in high-risk coastal areas

Response efforts are well underway:
• Around 30 staff are working in our Emergency Coordination Centre, which is operating 24/7
• Regular briefings and coordination across agencies
• Working closely with MetService New Zealand, NEMA, Police, Hawke's Bay - Fire and Emergency, St John, councils, and welfare agencies

🔎 STAY UPDATED

• Follow your local council channels for updates on services and facilities
• Check river levels and flood risk:
https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/extreme-weather-hub/flood-hub/
• Track the cyclone:
https://www.metservice.com/warnings/tropical-cyclone-activity

Take care, Hawke’s Bay — stay safe, look out for each other, and keep a close eye on conditions today. 💛

31/03/2026

Awesome Paige 🩵

14/03/2026

The Waitangi Tribunal has granted urgency to an inquiry into the government’s decision to scrap school boards’ legal duty to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the reset of the curriculum.

In a statement to RNZ, Education Minister Erica Stanford said she was unable to comment.

“As the matter is currently before the Tribunal it would not be appropriate for me to comment.”

Timetabling and arrangements for the hearing will be issued shortly.

🔗

17/02/2026

Matua Conrad Waitoa is Chairing this meeting 🌟

17/12/2025

Eight weeks in as a Hawke’s Bay Regional Councillor, and today felt like a natural pause before we head into the Christmas break.

Looking at this agenda and reflecting on the full meeting, now available on YouTube, I am genuinely proud of the mahi undertaken around the table. Water security, flood resilience, coastal hazards, infrastructure delivery, gravel management, and future planning are not light topics. They matter deeply to our communities, our whenua, and the generations coming after us.

What has stood out in these first eight weeks is the seriousness of purpose. Robust debate, careful questioning, respect for process, and a shared understanding that every decision carries financial, environmental, cultural, and social consequences for the people of Te Matau a Māui.

I have learned a lot quickly. I have listened hard. I have started asking questions where risk, affordability, and long-term stewardship matter. I have also seen the value of good governance done well, especially when pressures are high and expectations from our communities are rightly demanding.

As councillors take a short break, I am heading into 2026 with the same energy and commitment shown in this agenda and across the meeting today. Focused on resilience, accountability, and partnership. Grounded in the responsibility we hold as kaitiaki for this region.

Ngā mihi to my fellow councillors, our Chair and Deputy Chair, and the staff who support the work behind the scenes. The work continues in the new year.

Cr Conrad Waitoa
Hawke’s Bay Regional Councillor

https://youtu.be/1EmjGKlLMks?si=6SeDkhNEeqxQ2ewK

29/10/2025

We are very proud matua Conrad Waitoa

13/10/2025

Ka mau te wehi Conrad Waitoa for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Maia Dreams Conrad Waitoa

08/10/2025

Matua Conrad Waitoa and whaea Kristyl.Neho team up once again, this time under Maia Dreams.

We’re excited to have Matua Conrad Waitoa joining us as one of our guest leaders for our Rangatahi Leadership Wānanga.

Delivered by Maia Dreams Charitable Trust and proudly supported by the Ministry of Education and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.

We’ve had an amazing relationship working alongside Matua Conrad and his mahi with Inspire in Education, collaborating on some incredible kaupapa that uplifted and empowered our communities. We’re grateful to have him not only leading our mihi whakatau but also joining as a leader on our panel.

Matua Conrad (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tamatea, Kāi Tahu) was born in Te Puia Springs and raised in Ruatōria. Now based in Havelock North, he has dedicated his life to kaupapa Māori leadership, education, and governance. As founder of Inspire Aotearoa and īAko Māori Ltd, he has supported thousands of tauira and organisations to strengthen cultural identity, leadership, te reo Māori, and Te Tiriti understanding.

With over 27 years of leadership experience across Aotearoa, Canada, and the UK, and a Master’s in Māori and Indigenous Leadership, Matua Conrad continues to serve on boards and advise national organisations on embedding kaupapa Māori values in practice. His vision is grounded in kaitiakitanga, whānau wellbeing, and building strong, sustainable communities — where rangatahi Māori are seen not as at-risk, but as at-promise; not vulnerable, but valuable.