Wellington and Wairarapa Councils End State of Emergency, Launch Storm Recovery and Waste Collection Efforts

WELLINGTON – The Wellington City Council and three Wairarapa councils have terminated the state of emergency following severe weather, officially declaring a Local Transition Period to begin the region’s recovery. Under New Zealand’s Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, a Local Transition Period maintains targeted emergency powers to support recovery even after an emergency declaration is lifted.

The move indicates that the most immediate life-safety risks have passed, though officials warn that the impacts of the storm remain significant. The recovery phase is now centered on coordinating large-scale clean-up efforts, restoring essential services and critical “lifeline” infrastructure, and managing ongoing risks associated with saturated ground and landslips.

The Wellington City Emergency Operations Centre remains active, with emergency services and response teams continuing work in affected areas, particularly within the southern suburbs. Council officials say the transition phase will prioritise the most heavily impacted communities while keeping arrangements flexible should further weather or geotechnical issues emerge.

Storm Waste Collection Schedule

A coordinated kerbside collection of storm debris begins at 8:00am on Monday, April 27. These services are restricted to households and businesses in the following highly impacted areas: Berhampore, Island Bay, Kingston, Mount Cook, Mornington, Vogeltown, Brooklyn, Newtown, Ōwhiro Bay, and South Karori.

The collection timeline is as follows:

• Monday, April 27: Kerbside collection for large items (such as beds and large furniture) begins at 8:00am for all affected areas. In Island Bay only, storm debris waste bags closed with provided duffle ties will also be collected from 8:00am.
• Tuesday, April 28: Kerbside collection for storm debris waste bags begins at 8:00am for all other affected areas.

Residents are advised to place items at the kerbside by 8:00am without blocking footpaths, cycleways, or carparks. Those who require more time may leave their bags untied, and they will be collected during a later pass. Council officials stress that correctly separated storm debris will speed up collection, prevent injury to workers, and reduce delays for neighbouring suburbs.

Disposal Guidelines and Facility Access

Free storm debris bags are available at the Southern Landfill Tip Shop on Monday, April 27, between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Residents must provide proof of address for the affected suburbs to receive them.

The Maranui landfill site, located at 370 Queens Drive, Lyall Bay, is open for storm waste drop-offs on Sunday, April 26, and Monday, April 27, from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Proof of address is required for entry, and staff may direct vehicles to specific zones to manage traffic and safety.

The Southern Landfill in Ōwhiro Bay continues to accept general domestic waste and storm waste at standard rates. Residents using private contractors are encouraged to ensure they follow the same storm waste rules to avoid unsafe or illegal dumping.

Permitted Storm Waste

• Flood-damaged furniture and water-ruined household items
• Wet carpets, underlay, and rugs
• Soft furnishings, including curtains, cushions, and bedding
• Gyprock and plasterboard from damaged walls
• Small garden debris, such as twigs and silt
• E-waste

Prohibited Materials

• Asbestos-containing materials (specifically older lino floors and wall claddings)
• Hazardous chemicals, including paints, oils, solvents, and pool chemicals
• Lithium-ion batteries (e-bike and power tool batteries)
• Gas bottles and fire extinguishers
• Heavy medical waste or sharps
• Large quantities of concrete or clean fill
• Food waste (must be placed in standard yellow bags)

Specialist disposal is required for hazardous items such as asbestos, chemicals, medical waste, and batteries. Residents are urged not to place these materials in storm debris bags or general kerbside piles, as they pose serious health and fire risks and may force entire loads to be rejected.

Financial Aid and Community Support

A $100,000 Mayoral Relief Fund has been established to assist those affected by the severe weather. The fund is administered by the Wellington City Mission and is intended to provide targeted, one-off support for households and small businesses facing immediate hardship, complementing national welfare and insurance processes rather than replacing them.

The Emergency Assistance Centre at Whakamaru City Mission (4 Oxford Terrace, Mount Cook) is closed for the long weekend. It will reopen at 9:30am on Tuesday, April 28. External showers at the facility remain available 24/7, offering basic hygiene support to residents whose homes remain without safe water or power.

Additional support services include:

• Council Contact Centre: 04 499 4444 (available for welfare checks, service requests, and storm-related enquiries over the long weekend)
• Community Law Wellington: Initial legal advice via drop-in sessions and outreach clinics, including on tenancy, employment, and insurance-related issues
• Citizens Advice Bureau Central Wellington: Guidance on rights and obligations, and referrals to specialist agencies
• Māori Wardens: Support for vulnerable people in the central city, including pastoral care and assistance with accessing services

Public Health and Safety Warnings

Authorities advise residents returning to evacuated properties not to assume the premises are safe. Those returning should follow public health advice provided by Health NZ and vacate the property immediately if there are signs of renewed flooding, structural damage, or landslips. Residents are also urged to treat all floodwater as potentially contaminated and to use protective gear when handling soaked materials.

Mental health support is available through the following channels:

• National Crisis Support: Call or text 1737 (24/7)
• Anxiety NZ: 0800 269 4389 (24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7)

For immediate assistance in dangerous situations, residents are instructed to call 111.

The Emergency Assistance Centre will reopen for general support at 9:30am on Tuesday, April 28, as the city moves further into the structured, council-led recovery phase outlined in New Zealand’s emergency management framework.