January 2021

26 January - Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Whakatāne District Council are concerned about reports of a recent near miss between a boat and a swimmer at the Whakatāne boat ramp. Swimming near the Whakatāne boat ramp and wharf is not safe and should be avoided.

18 January - This summer holiday season has been a contrast of extreme dry weather and water shortages in some rural areas, while other parts of the Bay experienced record-breaking rainfall and surface flooding, closing roads, overwhelming stormwater systems and washing out many unfortunate campers.

15 January - New rules to stop the spread of aquatic pests across the Bay of Plenty come in to force this summer with boat ramp users now required to self-certify that their vessels and trailers are free from freshwater fish and plant pests. 

14 January - Bay of Plenty Regional Council are implementing Level 2 of the Water Shortage Event Standard Operating Procedure for some streams with headwaters in the west-southwest of Rotorua.