Fire and Emergency New Zealand severe weather and vegetation fires update

21 October 2025

Kaikoura fires update.

Firefighters dealt with multiple fires breaking out around the same time across Kaikoura today.

Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper says wind and fire conditions were extreme and fourteen structures were destroyed across the Kaikoura District.

Five of these were houses. There was no loss of life.

"Our crews worked tirelessly and were able to save five houses from being destroyed," Ken Cooper says.

"I’d like to extend my sympathy to the people affected by these fires today," he says.

"Crews remain on standby overnight, and will be back on the firegrounds in the morning.

"We expect a comparative lull in the wind tomorrow before it is forecast to strengthen significantly again on Wednesday night and our crews will use this opportunity to make sure the fires are contained and extinguished."

Hawke’s Bay fires

Four vegetation fires continue to burn in the Pōrongahau area in Hawke’s Bay tonight.

Assistant Commander Cooper says none are expected to threaten properties, but about 20 personnel will stay overnight to protect structures and monitor the fires.

"Five homes with approximately 15 people have self-evacuated and are staying with family and friends," he says.

"We don’t anticipate any further evacuations will be required.

Ken Cooper says approximately 90 personnel responded to the fires, including forestry crews and personnel, but severe winds and difficult conditions hampered operations.

"We concentrated on property protection," he says.

There will be 50 to 60 personnel back on the fireground tomorrow.

"Weather permitting, we expect to have four helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft fighting the fires tomorrow first thing.

"Then we’ll be able to send in our crews to start a ground attack on the fires.

Air around all these locations may be smoky and there is potential that people who are sensitive to smoke may experience symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or eye, nose and throat irritation.

"We’re talking about people such as those with heart or lung conditions, people who are pregnant, young children and older people," Ken Cooper says.

If people are impacted by smoke, they should remember to:

• Keep windows and doors shut.

• Switch air conditioning off.

• Air out their house when the smoke clears.

• Look out for children, older people, and others at

risk.

• Keep pets inside with clean water and food. Keep pets’

bedding inside if possible.

More severe weather forecast

Ken Cooper says more gales and rain for the West Coast are expected from about midnight on Wednesday, which will last for most of Thursday, and gale force winds with high temperatures are expected for the east coasts of both islands from early Thursday.

"Fire and Emergency New Zealand has a national capability of resources to surge into districts across the country as required," he says.

We’ve been working closely with other partner agencies including NEMA and Police as well as district councils and civil defence, to understand what support we can bring in for the affected areas for the rest of the week.

We are taking a South Island-wide approach to our preparations for the next wave of severe weather there, and we will be making decisions on pre-positioning our crews and assets as soon as we receive the updated weather predictions, and in consultation with civil defence and our emergency services partners.

A taskforce of firefighters from across the lower North Island with rural fire trucks and tankers are being deployed to support operations in the Hawke’s Bay in the coming days.

There will be no more updates tonight.