Evacuations after gas leak at Kaiteriteri Beach restaurant near Motueka
April 16, 2026
Firefighters from around the region have raced to Kaiteriteri.
A gas leak at a popular beachfront restaurant in Kaiteriteri led to the evacuation of nearby buildings and a campground on Thursday morning. Emergency services were alerted to the leak at the Waterfront Restaurant, located within the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve near Motueka, shortly before 7 a.m. on April 16. The prompt response involved multiple fire crews and led to the closure of roads in the immediate area to ensure public safety while the source of the leak was addressed. There have been no reports of injuries resulting from the incident.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) dispatched crews from Kaiteriteri, Motueka, Upper Moutere, Mapua, and Nelson to manage the situation. Assistant District Commander Chris Best stated that the leak appeared to originate from external gas tanks. As a precautionary measure, emergency services evacuated the restaurant, adjacent buildings, and the local campground. The main road through the area was cordoned off, and the power supply to the affected part of the reserve was isolated. Authorities also asked the public to avoid the normally busy beach area for the day while crews worked to make the scene safe.
The Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve, which owns the restaurant building, acknowledged the disruption and thanked the emergency services for their efforts to keep everyone safe. The reserve is a major tourist hub for the Tasman region, serving as a key gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. The Waterfront Restaurant is operated by the team behind the award-winning TOAD Hall café from nearby Motueka, making it a significant local hospitality venue. The incident caused considerable disruption, though surrounding businesses were able to resume normal operations once the evacuation order was lifted.
By midday, FENZ announced that the gas leak had been successfully isolated, and the situation was under control. Roads were reopened, and those who had been evacuated from the campground and other properties were permitted to return. Firefighters remained on site for a period to ventilate buildings, clear gas from drains, and ensure the area was completely safe before scaling back their response later in the morning. Assistant District Commander Chris Best thanked the public for their cooperation during the emergency response.
While the immediate danger has passed, the Waterfront Restaurant remained closed following the incident. The operators and authorities now face the task of conducting a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of the leak from the external gas tanks. The findings of this investigation will likely inform future safety protocols to prevent a recurrence. A date for the restaurant's reopening has not yet been announced, pending the outcome of the investigation and any necessary repairs or safety checks.
Source: nzherald