Designation response to January 2026 severe weather event
Published on 23 January 2026
The Mayor of Whangārei District has "designated" the Hikurangi - Coastal Ward under the Building Act 2004 to help manage ongoing risks to people from buildings affected by flooding and land instability as a result of the January 2026 severe weather event.
Full details of the Rapid Building Assessment system can be found on the MBIE Building Performance website:
Rapid Building Assessment system (building.govt.nz)
How to get your building assessed?
If your house has suffered damage by this severe weather event, please contact us (09 430 4200) so a rapid building assessment can be carried out to assess the damage, existing or potential hazards, record details of the damage and assign appropriate placards to buildings to identify any restrictions of use.
About this designation
The designation allows us to take specific actions under the Building Act to manage buildings in an emergency.
The decision to designate the region was made by Mayor Ken Cooper at 11:17am on 23 January 2026 and the designation took effect immediately.
The designation will be reviewed every 90 days by Whangarei District Council to confirm that the powers conferred by the designation are required to manage the response and recovery.
The designation may remain in place until 22 January 2029, unless terminated earlier.
Designated area
The designated area applies to all of the Hikurangi - Coastal Ward.
Powers under a designation
The Building Act provides us a number of powers that may be exercised in respect to all buildings within the designated area, including the ability to:
- enter buildings
- complete post-event assessments
- direct the evacuation of buildings
- put in place measures for protecting buildings and keeping people at a safe distance
- place notices and signs on buildings
- direct the owners of building or land to provide information
- direct works (urgent and non-urgent) to remove or reduce risks
- direct works for long-term use or occupation of a building.
Assessment placards (stickers)
Information about the different placards and what they mean is available on the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website:
Rapid Building Assessment placarding system (building.govt.nz)
Non-compliance and penalties
The Building Act sets out a number of offences and penalties for non-compliance in this matter, in sections 133BR to 133BU, 133BW and 133BX.
Penalties include fines of between $5,000 and $200,000.