Cruel Hoax: Police Investigate Fake Evacuation Calls Amid Gisborne Storm Crisis
By Lions Roar Aotearoa News
GISBORNE, TAIRĀWHITI (Friday, January 23, 2026) — Amidst the life-threatening flooding and landslides currently battering the Tairāwhiti region, a “small number” of Gisborne residents have been targeted by a malicious hoax. On Thursday morning, several households received “suspicious phone calls” from individuals falsely claiming to represent the Gisborne District Council and ordering them to evacuate.
Tairāwhiti Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) has officially condemned the calls, and an investigation is currently underway by New Zealand Police.
🚫 “Incredibly Disheartening”: The Hoax Revealed
The Gisborne District Council issued an urgent statement clarifying that neither Council nor Civil Defence staff were behind the calls.
- The Tactic: Callers reportedly told residents that city rivers were at risk of flooding their homes—a claim that CDEM Controller Ben Green confirmed was completely false.
- CDEM Response: “It is incredibly disheartening that someone would make fake calls and claims while people were facing serious risks,” Green said.
- Verification: Official evacuations are typically conducted through door-knocking, emergency text alerts (Emergency Mobile Alerts), and posts on verified social media channels.
⚠️ IF IN DOUBT: If you receive a call that feels suspicious, do not evacuate immediately unless you see immediate danger. Hang up and call the official Tairāwhiti CDEM line at 0800 653 800 to verify.
🏠 The Real Evacuations: A Community Standing Together
While the fake calls caused confusion, legitimate emergency efforts saw approximately 30 whānau moved to safety across the region.
- Te Araroa Rescue: A family of seven was successfully airlifted from their roof by Fire and Emergency (FENZ) after being trapped overnight.
- Welfare Centres: The House of Breakthrough welfare centre in Gisborne was activated at 3:45 AM. Three people self-evacuated there after feeling unsafe, while other residents found refuge at local marae, such as Rongohaere Marae in Makarika Valley.
- The “Tairāwhiti Way”: District Councillor Rawinia Parata praised the tight-knit community for opening their doors to displaced neighbors.
📊 Tairāwhiti Storm Status (Thursday, Jan 22 – Friday, Jan 23)
| Issue | Status |
| Fake Calls | Reported to Police; residents advised to ignore. |
| Missing Persons | None reported (All people accounted for). |
| Power Outages | ~150 rural customers still without power (Access restricted by slips). |
| Welfare Status | 30 families in official centres; many more with whānau. |
| Rivers | City rivers confirmed safe from flooding homes. |
