Media releases and information

Whangamata tsunami warning test 24 September

2 September, 2010   Testing of the tsunami warning sirens at Whangamata later this month is part of local and regional preparedness for tsunami, says Waikato Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group controller Scott Fowlds.

Swine flu death at Waikato hospital 

19 August, 2010  A 53-year-old man died in Waikato Hospital this week of swine flu. He had no known underlying medical condition.

Scientists uncover rare double-whammy quakes near Tonga

10 August, 2010   Scientists have found that the tsunami that devastated parts of Tonga and Samoa in September 2009 was caused by two almost simultaneous earthquakes, not one as previously thought.

NHEP Sector Update on Pandmeic H1N1

9 August, 2010   New Zealand is currently experiencing a second wave of Pandemic A (H1N1) 2009, with influenza activity continuing to increase through the winter.    

Reminder to all schools, and their students, parents and carers

6 August, 2010   Winter is the season for many cold and flu-like illnesses, stomach bugs (gastroenteritis), in particular norovirus, and is also the season for Meningococcal disease.

Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) update 198

5 August,  2010  Influenza activity is beginning to increase significantly and this is reflected in the graph below showing the rates of influenza-like illness in the community.

Stop influenza in its tracks

23 July, 2010  There have been 10 cases if influenza A H1N1 notified to Waikato District Health Board’s Population Health service in the past two weeks.

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Who to contact

Regional, district and city councils have Civil Defence staff who can be contacted for advice and information. Use our contact page to find out more about your local civil defence emergency operating centre.  Links to the 3 main Emergency Operating Areas (EOAs) are listed below.   

For more information click here 

Waikato Valley Civil Defence 

Thames Valley Civil Defence 

Southern Civil Defence  

River levels, rainfall and flooding information is also available on the Environment Waikato website.