2026 February - Severe weather in Waipā, Ōtorohanga, Rangitīkei, Manawatū and Banks Peninsula

Between 14 and 17 February 2026 local authorities declared this severe weather a local emergency event.

We may be able to help if you are in one of these regions or districts and your business or personal income is affected.

• Waipā
• Ōtorohanga
• Rangitīkei
• Manawatū
• Banks Peninsula

Contacting us

Our emergency helpline is 0800 473 566. 

For other ways to contact us, see our contact page.

Natural disasters, adverse and emergency events - contact us

See our website for more information on how we can help.

Natural disasters, adverse and emergency events

Help for you or your family

We may be able to help with your personal tax, KiwiSaver, or student loan payments. For child support or Working for Families payments, you’ll need to let us know if your situation has changed.

Help for you or your family in an adverse or emergency event

Relief payments

Any payment received between 14 February 2026 and 31 August 2026 to help with this severe weather event does not need to be included in your family scheme income, when calculating your Working for Families entitlement.

Estimate your entitlement

Declaration that the February 2026 severe weather event is an emergency event for the purposes of family scheme income (tax.technical.ird.govt.nz)

Help for your business

If you have a farm, a business or are self-employed, we can help you manage your business tax following an adverse or emergency event.

Help with your business tax in an adverse or emergency event

Help for farmers and growers 

You may be able to get help through the income equalisation scheme if your income is affected by this event.

We have made ‘class of case’ decisions to cover farmers and growers in the affected regions.  Details are as follows.

Income equalisation scheme – late deposits

You can make late deposits for the 2025 income year up to 30 June 2026.

Income equalisation scheme – early refunds

You can apply for the early refund of a deposit if you made your deposit before 14 February 2026. 

Normally, income equalisation deposits are not available for refund until 12 months after they have been made.

Your application for an early refund must be in writing. It may take approximately 5 days to process.

The refund will be income in the year you make the application, unless you apply it to the previous income year.

Income equalisation scheme

Customers outside of the affected region

For customers affected by this severe weather event in other regions or districts you can apply to us on a case-by-case basis for the same relief.