Northland 

Transport 

Across the roading network there is extensive damage, including severe slips and unprecedented levels of downed trees. Our commitment remains on maintaining critical transport routes, and re-establishing levels of service to approximately 16 road closures.

Auckland  

Water 

Work continues on restoring wastewater, stormwater and reticulation networks.

Transport 

We are working with Auckland Transport on slip remediation and repairs to the roading network.

Central Waikato 

Transport 

All key routes, excluding SH5 to Hawkes Bay, are now open.   

Downer is collaborating with neighbouring Bay of Plenty East contractor, Higgins, to restore access. There is a significant amount of work ahead due to the number and magnitude of slips across the network, and collaboration will continue to be a critical element in delivery. 

Coromandel 

Energy  

The number of people without power in the region has now reduced significantly. The number of Installed Control Points (ICPs) without power reduced from roughly 7,000 to approx. 4,500. 

Telco 

As power issues are resolved, we are focused on getting communities connected to the telecommunications network. We are now investigating and monitoring the extent of the damage to the networks in all areas and developing solutions and methods of delivery. 

Waka Kotahi is now able to let us into blocked areas for Thames, Paeroa and Whangamatā, and Wentworth Valley today to start restoration.

Bay of Plenty 

Transport 

Significant roading network clean-up continues from both Ex-Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle and previous severe weather. Full scoping is underway which will give clarity to both the short and long-term remediation options. 

All essential access and services within the wider Western BoP region have been restored, including access on SH 29 (Kaimai Ranges), key freight route to the Port of Tauranga.  

Hauraki

Transport 

The wider Hauraki Region has been extremely affected by flooding and minor slips.   

Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Telco 

Teams are now focusing on restoring the Northern comms link from Gisborne North. 

We are investigating a major slip (7 km South of Te Puia Springs) and safe options for restoration, as well as continuing to investigate the connection between Gisborne South and Napier. 

We have had four crews helicoptered in on Thursday to the Hikuwai River Bridge area, which we are working to repair. 

We are still working to understand the extent of the damage from Napier to Gisborne.  

We are working on restoring communications to the Gisborne area, however gaining access to parts of Gisborne is extremely challenging, particularly getting fuel to key generators up the East Cape, for example at Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay cell sites. These are helicopter-only sites. 

From Gisborne North, we have crew members surveying the area around the 50-metre long Hikuwai Bridge. The team is assessing where the fibre is and, if possible they will be reconnecting via poles on 16 February. 

We are working to support emergency services on behalf of our clients.  

Transport 

Downer has a concentrated presence in Tairawhiti to restore critical infrastructure, with significant damage reported on all main routes. All available inspectors are gearing up across Gisborne’s state highway network, which will help us understand the full extent of the damage.   

At State Highway 2 North, focus is on unblocking and reopening to allow essential vehicles access to the area. 

Across the wider network, road washouts, slips, flood damage and downed trees are prevalent. 

Transport is assisting our Utilities whānau with gaining access to affected sites and moving equipment to different areas. 

A Downer pilot has landed this morning at the Gisborne Airport to deliver essential items to the Gisborne community, to the most affected areas A main priority for the team is fixing the Hikuwai bridge, to connect communities that have been cut off, alongside Downer Utilities. Our depot has been without internet and StarLink is being installed this morning Our ability to access the full network is still restricted but we are prepared and ready to hit the ground running as soon as access is cleared

Hawkes Bay 

Telco 

We have put a back-haul link in place from Napier, down to Wellington.  

We are moving 15 generators up from Wellington to Hastings, and we have four technicians travelling up to support the crew, who will then start deploying generators to key client sites.  

Our next priority is getting fibre restored between Napier and Wairoa. We have a team member in a helicopter flying the fibre route to identify where all the faults are. We are also planning to put in a satellite link for customers to Wairoa Bay, which will provide cellular services for the area. 

Transport 

Our teams are actively investigating and clearing road closures, though the situation is fluid and our priority is their safety.  Geotechnical assessments will be undertaken as we can bring resource into the area.   

Extra Downer staff have begun to arrive and are providing relief to our teams who have been responding since Cyclone Gabrielle landed.   

We are focused on opening the 44 closed roads in Central Hawkes Bay and five unpassable bridges.   

Bluff Hill is an area of focus with many trees, flooding and slips inhibiting travel.   

Waitangi Bridge connecting Hastings to Napier has now reopened to emergency services and critical storm response workers

Taranaki 

Minor clean up repairs are ongoing, mostly involving downed trees particularly in Taranaki.   

Manawatū-Whanganui

Transport 

In Tararua, in excess of 50 routes are impacted. This number will likely rise as full extent of damage and impacts are understood. 

We are focused on restoring 4WD access to Herbertville with additional teams starting to arrive on the ground.   

Wellington & Wairarapa 

Power 

Our Energy team is busy responding to faults on the network. We have been able to reduce fault call-outs from 827 on Wednesday to 262 on Thursday. 

The Downer NZ team is thinking of everyone who has been impacted, and would like to encourage anyone who needs support or advice to check your local Civil Defence website for important contact information. Contact list is available here: National Emergency Management Agency