Southland Slowly Reconnecting

A massive clean-up operation continues across Southland and Clutha after Thursday’s destructive windstorm left widespread power, water, and communication outages across the region.

A state of emergency remains in place for Southland and Clutha, with authorities warning it could take up to a week before power is fully restored in some areas.

This afternoon, the Royal New Zealand Air Force deployed a C-130J Hercules from Base Auckland in Whenuapai to Invercargill, to facilitate the movement of NEMA Emergency Management Assistance Team (EMAT) and Civil Defence Emergency Management Group personnel and portable generators to support emergency response efforts to national weather events in the Southland and Clutha regions.

Power and Communications
PowerNet says more than 17,800 customers remain without power in Southland and South Otago, though electricity has been restored to Te Anau and Winton. Crews are prioritising main network lines before reconnecting individual homes.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Hercules has flown generators and emergency staff into Invercargill to assist with the recovery. Telecommunications providers are working with emergency management teams to restore service to nearly 90 offline cell towers.

Residents are urged to limit phone calls and use text messaging to free up bandwidth for emergency communications.

Southland District Council Road Updaste: 3.40pm his list may not be complete. It is based on information at hand now. Please drive with care if you have to.Open:Waiarikiki Mimihau Road fully open in both lanes.Closed:Seaward Downs Gorge Road.Waghorn Road, due to water rising in the lagoon and now covering the road around the bridge.Muirhead RoadEndowment RoadDrummond Heddon Bush Road at Shaws Trees Road

Water Supply and Safety
Several towns remain without safe drinking water.

Tapanui residents must boil all drinking water until further notice.
Waihola and Clinton have water tankers available for residents to fill containers.
In Lawrence, water levels are critically low, with residents asked to conserve water and avoid flushing.
The Clutha District Council says its water and wastewater systems are “overwhelmed” and has urged all residents to conserve water.

In Gore, the council has assured residents the town’s water remains safe to drink, but pregnant women and families with toddlers are advised to use alternative sources due to rising nitrate levels. Free showers are available at the Gore Multisports Complex, and residents can fill water containers at Coster Park in Mataura.

Local Response and Support
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell said all available resources are being sent south, with the Defence Force and National Emergency Management Agency assisting local authorities.

“Any resource we need to, we will throw at making sure we get what is required down there to get the power up and communication back online again,” Mitchell said.

Generators are being prioritised for cell towers and dairy farms to assist with milking operations. The Ministry for Primary Industries has confirmed farmers in need of generators can call 0800 801 350.

Community Spirit Shines Through
In Tuatapere, the owner of the Four Square said locals rallied together to help one another during the 35-hour blackout.
“Our nurses, our fire brigade, even us at the shop, the school—we made a plan and looked after each other,” said store owner Raissa Hewton.

Nearby, Tui Base Camp owner James Garthwaite said he filled buckets from a council water tanker so guests could flush toilets after losing water and power. Despite the disruption, he managed to save stock using a refrigerated container and donated sausages for a community BBQ.

In Ohai, resident Khan McDonald said he was relieved power was back after more than 35 hours without it. “We’ve just got a newborn, and it was pretty cold the night before—but we got through it,” he said.

Warnings and Closures
All parks, reserves, and sports fields in Invercargill and Bluff remain closed due to safety concerns. Fallen trees and unstable debris continue to pose a risk, and residents are being urged to stay away until areas are cleared.

The Transport Agency reports most Southland roads are open, though hazards and fallen trees remain.

SH6 (Haast–Makarora) remains closed, while SH7 (Hanmer to Springs Junction) is expected to reopen this afternoon.

Emergency Management Southland confirmed there is no fuel shortage, though delivery remains difficult due to damaged infrastructure. Drivers are asked to conserve petrol, as supplies are limited in remote areas such as Te Anau.

RNZ Launches Emergency Broadcasts
To help reach isolated communities, RNZ has begun special information bulletins for Southland and Clutha. These will air after the 7am, 12pm, and 5pm news, with updates from emergency organisations.

Residents without power are reminded they can listen on their car radios at the following frequencies:

Invercargill: FM 101.2 / AM 720
Queenstown: FM 101.6
Wanaka: FM 101.0
Alexandra: FM 101.5
Dunedin: FM 101.4 / AM 810

Looking Ahead
MetService has lifted severe weather warnings, but a new front is forecast for Labour Day (Monday), bringing more wind and rain to central and southern New Zealand.

Authorities urge Southlanders to stay patient, conserve fuel and water, and check on neighbours as repairs continue.

“We’ve been through a tough few days,” said one Invercargill resident. “But like always, Southland pulls together.”