Whatatutu Volunteer Fire Station

Whatatutu Volunteer Fire Station We're here to provide our community with Fire Safety & Emergency Civil Defence information. We are a small rural brigade approximately 15 kilometres off SH2.

If you'd like to join an awesome crew and be a community asset, give us a call.

09/12/2025

Fire training tonight 6pm.

Today is International Volunteer Day, a special opportunity for us to acknowledge and celebrate all of our Fire and Emer...
05/12/2025

Today is International Volunteer Day, a special opportunity for us to acknowledge and celebrate all of our Fire and Emergency whānau who give their time, skills, and heart in service of others.

Without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to provide the vital support our communities across the motu rely on.

Their dedication, courage, and willingness to step forward — often at a moment’s notice — truly embody the spirit of service at Fire and Emergency. Whether they’re responding to emergencies, supporting community events, helping with training, or keeping the station running smoothly, their mahi makes a real and lasting difference.

Thank you to my crew for the countless hours you give, the sacrifices you make, and the professionalism you bring to every response. Because of you, our hapori/communities are safer, stronger, and more resilient.

Ngā mihi nui.

Every year on International Volunteer Day, we take the time to celebrate and reflect on the vital service our volunteers provide in keeping our communities safe across Aotearoa New Zealand.

To our crew of more than 11,800 volunteers we want to acknowledge what you give up to do this. Dinners are cut short; work is left for others to pick up and sometimes precious moments are missed.

Thank you for the countless hours you give, the sacrifices you make, and the care you bring to every response. Our communities are safer, stronger, and more resilient because of you.

Join us in thanking our volunteers for their dedication, and their whānau and employers, who support them to respond.

On Wednesday we went to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whatatutu with senior advisor community readiness and recovery Antony Ru...
05/12/2025

On Wednesday we went to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whatatutu with senior advisor community readiness and recovery Antony Ruru (Antz) to present Māui-tinei-ahi. The programme is designed specifically for delivery in kura kaupapa Māori, and most bi-lingual classrooms.
Māui-tinei-ahi /Firewise programme teaches primary school students about fire safety, focusing on fire prevention, what to do in case of a fire, and home escape plans. It uses cross-curricular and literacy-based methods to educate young children on important behaviours like not playing with matches, getting low and going to an exit, and having a family meeting place. The program encourages children to take their knowledge home and share it with their families to make the whole household safer.

Tamariki are taught not to play with matches, lighters, or candles and to give them to an adult.
Also teaches the "Get down get low and get out” / “Ngōki, I raro rawa, tere p**a tau” rule if there is smoke, and emphasizes knowing two ways out of every room in a house.
Discussion with the tamariki talking about and practice fire safety together, including creating and practicing a home escape plan with a designated meeting place with their whanāu.
Afterwards a look around the fire truck 🚒talk to the volunteer firefighters and got the opportunity to sq**rt some water!💦 ……..what’s even cooler is their kaiako/ teacher is a firefighter with Whatatutu fire brigade!

🚒👊🏻Outstanding mahi from our crew over the last four days. We’ve managed to respond with a full crew every time — a real...
30/11/2025

🚒👊🏻Outstanding mahi from our crew over the last four days. We’ve managed to respond with a full crew every time — a real testament to everyone’s commitment and down to everyone stepping up when it counted, a real credit to everyone’s dedication.
⏩️👀We’re still seeking new volunteers, so if you’re someone who can commit and wants to support your community, we’d love to have you on board. Drop us a message or come down to the fire station on Wednesday evening 6pm.

13/11/2025

🌤️ WEATHER WATCH LIFTED @ 7PM 14 November
Kia ora whānau,
The weather watch has been lifted ❤️
Thank you for staying connected — stay safe and take care.
***

‼️Update from MetService @ 4.50pm 14 November.

The Thunderstorm WARNING ⛔️ has been lifted, BUT the Thunderstorm WATCH 👀 remains in place until 7pm tonight

Please keep up to date with the latest updates, which you can find on our new website https://www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz/

Nga mihi
Tairawhiti Emergency Management Team

⚠️ Update @ 2pm 14 November
The weather watch has now been upgraded to a Thunderstorm Warning. Heavy rain is expected, which may cause surface flooding in streams and urban areas.

You know the drill, whānau — take care out there, drive to the conditions, and look out for each other. Most of all, keep safe

Kia tupato

*****

Kia ora Whanau
⚠MetService has issued a Thunderstorm Watch 👀 for several regions, including Gisborne/Tairawhiti. This watch is valid from 1pm to 7pm this evening. Some thunderstorms may become SEVERE, producing localised downpours of 25 to 40mm/h or large hail with diameter in excess of 2cm

⛈A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means that conditions are favourable for a severe thunderstorm in and close to the watch area.

Please visit our website for all the latest information https://www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz/

11/11/2025

Kia ora Whanau... our rain watch has been upgraded to a Heavy Rain Warning - ORANGE 🌧. This warning is valid for 17hrs from 4pm today (Wed) to 9am Thursday for Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne Tairawhiti north of Tokomaru Bay.
Expect 80 to 100mm of rain..Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from this evening. Thunderstorms and localised downpours possible.
Please note, rain eases from the west.
Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
You know what to do whanau, clear the gutters, limit travel 🚗and keep yourselves safe 🙏🏼.

Don't forget to visit our website https://www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz/ - for all the latest information you need!

11/11/2025

We knew it was coming whānau! We’ve got ourselves a YELLOW heavy rain 🌧️ watch for the 12 hours from 9pm tomorrow night (Wednesday) through to 9am on Thursday for Bay of Plenty, east of Maraenui, and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, north of Tokomaru Bay. MetService are forecasting periods of heavy rain ☔️, with amounts possibly approaching warning criteria. There is a moderate chance of it being upgraded to a warning – stay tuned 👂 to keep across the latest!
The watch is thanks to a low and associated fronts that are forecast to move southwards across the North Island over Wednesday and early Thursday, bringing rain to many areas.
You know the gig – clear your gutters and limit travel 🚘. Stay safe out there!
🖤

Keep an eye out here - https://www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz/ - for all the info you need! Yes! It's our brand new website! Bookmark it for the future!



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Gisborne District Council
Turanga FM Media
Bevan for Breakfast on MORE FM
Te Araroa Civil Defence
Waiapu Civil Defence
Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou
Māhaki Tiaki Tangata
Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa
SH35 Panui
The Gisborne Herald
Te Akau o Tokomaru Civil Defence Page
Tairāwhiti - Fire and Emergency NZ
Community
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Uawa Civil Defence - Tolaga Bay East Coast
Eastern District Police
MetService New Zealand
Point Motel
Puia springs & waipiro bay civil defence
Catchment Restoration Project
Live
Gisborne Neighbourhood Support 2025
Civil Defence Rangitukia
Tiniroto Community

Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night are just around the corner!🔥🎆🎇Fireworks can be great fun — but they need to be handled with car...
01/11/2025

Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night are just around the corner!🔥
🎆🎇Fireworks can be great fun — but they need to be handled with care.

✅ Set clear boundaries for children
👀 Always supervise closely
💧 Keep a bucket or hose nearby

Before lighting up, make sure conditions are safe at www.checkitsalright.co.nz 👍🏻

Let’s keep our celebrations safe for everyone this week. 🎆

What a night! 🌧️💨Power went out about 1am and has just been restored to the township — big thanks to the crews who worke...
27/10/2025

What a night! 🌧️💨
Power went out about 1am and has just been restored to the township — big thanks to the crews who worked through the night to get us back on! 🙌⚡️ ( Also a good test using your emergency kit tucked away, gas stove and torches to get by till power was restored)
Watch out for debris on the roads — there are fallen trees and branches around. Locals have been out and assisted with road clearing.
Still pretty gusty with patches of rain, so take care if you’re out and about.
If you can, check in on neighbours or anyone who might still need a hand after the rough night.

For any emergencies call 111

⚠️🚗Drive carefully, slow down and stick to the conditions

TIPS FOR NAVIGATING DEBRIS ON THE ROAD
➡️Stay Alert: Keep your eyes on the road ahead and scan for any debris or obstacles. A vigilant approach gives you more time to react.
➡️Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Following too closely could leave you without enough time for an emergency stop or evasive maneuver. Following 2-seconds behind another vehicle should be the minimum distance.
➡️Steady Braking: If you encounter debris, apply the brakes gently and steadily. Sudden or aggressive braking can lead to skidding.
➡️Steer Smoothly: If you need to swerve to avoid debris, make gradual and controlled steering movements. Sudden jerks can cause your vehicle to lose stability. Continue to steer towards the direction you want to go, even in a skid.

Stock photo.

Strong winds over the past week making everywhere super dry, these conditions make it more susceptible to fires starting...
22/10/2025

Strong winds over the past week making everywhere super dry, these conditions make it more susceptible to fires starting easily
🔥 No outdoor fires this week! 🔥
Strong winds are expected all weekend — raising fire danger across our region.
Even though it looks green, dry grass and leaves can still catch easily.

🚒 If you see smoke or flames, call 111 straight away!

Make sure outdoor garden furniture, children’s toys and trampolines are secure.

Caution if you’re driving anywhere in strong winds, watching for falling trees and debris on the roads. Haumarutia tō haere (drive safe)

Stay safe out there whānau!

https://www.checkitsalright.nz

We’re on fire 🔥🚒here at the 150th Gisborne A&P show. Come on down see us at the FENZ stand, learn about safety with 🔋Lit...
16/10/2025

We’re on fire 🔥🚒here at the 150th Gisborne A&P show. Come on down see us at the FENZ stand, learn about safety with 🔋Lithium batteries, rural fire safety and win some Lego

Address

1137 Whatatutu Road
Te Karaka
4094

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