Impact Level: Warning
Locations Affected: New Zealand
Tracking Id: RINTP4794293630
Current Updates:
• 2026/04/12, 06:17:53 UTC
Road closures between Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay will remain until at least 0800 hours on Monday (13 April), pending engineering assessments. The following highways are also currently closed SH50 Breakwater Road (between Hardinge Road and Coote Road), SH2 Matawai to Matawhero, SH2 Manutuke to Wairoa, SH35 Pōtaka to Matawhero (SH2/SH35 Intersection, Gisborne).
• 2026/04/12, 06:16:01 UTC
The New Zealand Professional Firefighter’s Union has cancelled a one-hour strike originally scheduled for 0730 hours on Monday (13 April) as Cyclone Vaianu continues down the North Island.
• 2026/04/12, 06:14:41 UTC
The Gisborne District Council stated that intense rainfall has flooded its wastewater system. To prevent sewage overflowing into homes and onto roads, the authorities opened emergency sewer valves at Oak Street into the Taruheru River and Gladstone Road Bridge into the Tūranganui River at 1200 hours on Sunday (12 April). The discharge is highly diluted with rainwater, but poses a health risk. Warnings signs are in place, with people advised to make no contact with the water in the city’s three rivers and Waikanae Beach. The advice remains in place for at least five days after the valves are closed and warning signs removed. The alert will be updated once the discharge has stopped.
• 2026/04/12, 06:12:14 UTC
NZTA stated that the SH2 closure from Muriwai, south of Gisborne, has now been extended to Wairoa. The section of SH2 between Wairoa and Napier remains open for now.
• 2026/04/12, 06:10:57 UTC
Air New Zealand chief operations officer – ground and inflight informed that more than 90 flights have been cancelled due to the cyclone as of 1400 hours (local time) on Sunday (12 April). All remaining services to and from Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne and Napier have been cancelled.
• 2026/04/12, 06:08:51 UTC
The centre at Helensville War Memorial Hall to close, while the one at Shoesmith Hall in Warkworth will also close in Auckland. The Ellen Melville Centre will be stood down, but remain on standby to reopen if need be. Ostend Hall on Waiheke Island and Wellsford Community Centre will remain open overnight.
• 2026/04/12, 06:07:03 UTC
Highways including 25, 26, 33, and 35 have been closed across the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.
• 2026/04/12, 02:21:43 UTC
Further, local authorities have imposed a state of emergency in the most populous regions of the North Island including Tauranga.
• 2026/04/12, 02:20:26 UTC
In the Waikato region, south of Auckland, there had been 800 power outages and multiple homes had been evacuated because of flooding. Fallen trees closed roads in some areas.
• 2026/04/12, 02:19:30 UTC
Commuters have been advised to stay off flooded roads in towns around Coromandel after reports three vehicles had tried to get through floodwaters.
• 2026/04/12, 02:18:42 UTC
Bay of Plenty Emergency Management informed that there had been strong wind, heavy rainfall and large swells along with power outages in the area, where evacuation orders were in place.
• 2026/04/12, 02:17:19 UTC
The centre of Cyclone Vaianu has made landfall near the Maketu Peninsula at 1352 hours on Sunday (12 April). It will now cross the North Island before exiting this evening in Hawkes Bay.
• 2026/04/12, 02:16:03 UTC
New Zealand’s weather bureau MetService informed that the cyclone Vaianu is tracking south towards the Bay of Plenty, and is forecast to make landfall on Sunday (12 April).
Description:
The Meteorological Service (MetService) of New Zealand has issued multiple severe weather warnings and watches across New Zealand associated with Cyclone Vaianu, expected to impact the country on Sunday-Monday (12-13 April).
• Cyclone Vaianu is expected to move southwards across the North Island on Sunday (12 April) and pass west of the Chatham Islands on Monday (13 April), bringing a combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal impacts.
• A Strong Wind Warning (Red) is in effect for the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island until 2000 hours (local time) on Sunday (12 April), with damaging gusts reaching up to 130 kilometres per hour.
• A Strong Wind Warning (Red) is in effect for Bay of Plenty and Rotorua from 0400 hours (local time) to 2000 hours (local time) on Sunday (12 April), with gusts up to 130 kilometres per hour expected.
• A Heavy Rainfall Warning (Orange) is in effect for Auckland and Great Barrier Island until 1400 hours (local time) on Sunday (12 April), with rainfall totals of 70-100 millimetres and peak intensities of 15-25 millimetres per hour.
• A Heavy Rainfall Warning (Orange) is in effect for Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty (west of Whakatane, including Rotorua) until 1600 hours (local time) on Sunday (12 April), with rainfall totals of 120-150 millimetres and peak intensities of 25-40 millimetres per hour.
• A Heavy Rainfall Warning (Orange) is in effect for Gisborne/Tairawhiti (north of Tolaga Bay) from 0200 hours (local time) to 1600 hours (local time) on Sunday (12 April), with rainfall totals up to 150 millimetres in elevated areas.
• A Heavy Rainfall Warning (Orange) is in effect for Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges from 0300 hours to 2100 hours on Sunday (12 April), with rainfall totals of 150–180 millimetres.
• A Heavy Rainfall Warning (Orange) is in effect for the Tararua Range from 1100 hours to 2400 hours on Sunday (12 April), with rainfall totals of 90-120 millimetres.
• A Heavy Rainfall Warning (Orange) is in effect for Eastern Marlborough from 0900 hours to 2300 hours on Sunday (12 April), with rainfall totals of 70-100 mm.
• A Strong Wind Warning (Orange) is in effect for Waikato, Waitomo, Taupo, and Taumarunui from 0200 hours to 2300 hours on Sunday (12 April), with gusts up to 120 kilometres per hour.
• A Strong Wind Warning (Orange) is in effect for Northland until 1500 hours (local time) on Sunday (12 April), and for Auckland, until 1800 hours on Sunday (12 April), with gusts up to 120-130 kilometres per hour.
• A Strong Wind Warning (Orange) is in effect for Gisborne/Tairawhiti, Hawke’s Bay, and Taihape from 0900 hours on Sunday (12 April) to 0200 hours on Monday (13 April), with gusts up to 130 kilometres per hour.
• A Strong Wind Warning (Orange) is in effect for the Tararua District from 2200 hours on Sunday (12 April) to 0800 hours on Monday (13 April).
• A Heavy Rainfall Watch is in effect for multiple regions, including Waikato, Bay of Plenty (east of Whakatane), Gisborne/Tairawhiti (south of Tolaga Bay), Waitomo, Taupo, Taranaki, Wairarapa, and Wellington from early morning through evening on Sunday (12 April), with moderate to high chances of escalation to warnings.
• A Strong Wind Watch is in effect for Taranaki and Wanganui from 1800 hours on Sunday (12 April) to 0100 hours on Monday (13 April), and for Manawatu, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Wairarapa, and the Chatham Islands.
• A Heavy Swell Warning is in effect for the Wairarapa coast (Cape Palliser to Mataikona) from 1200 hours on Sunday (12 April) to 0300 hours on Monday (13 April), with combined waves reaching 06-6.5 metres and peak swell heights of up to 5.5 metres.
• Continued disruptions are likely due to the multi-hazard impacts including heavy rainfall, strong winds, coastal inundation, and potential infrastructure damage.
Impact:
• Transport disruptions are likely across parts of the North Island and upper South Island on Sunday (12 April) into early Monday (13 April), due to strong winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal conditions. Reduced visibility, localised flooding, and debris may lead to delays or temporary closures on key road networks, along with disruptions to rail, air, and maritime operations.
• Electricity and communication infrastructure may experience localized outages, particularly in exposed coastal and elevated areas, due to strong wind gusts and falling trees or debris. Restoration timelines may vary depending on the extent of damage.
• Business operations may be affected by staff movement constraints, supply chain delays, and localized infrastructure impacts. Sectors dependent on transport, logistics, and outdoor activity may experience temporary disruptions.
• Coastal and port operations may face interruptions due to elevated wave heights and swell conditions, potentially affecting shipping schedules and waterfront activities.
• Areas under heavy rainfall warnings may experience surface flooding, rising river levels, and localized slips, which could impact road access and isolated communities, particularly in hilly or low-lying regions.
• Air travel schedules may be subject to delays or adjustments due to strong winds and changing weather conditions at affected airports.
• Emergency response times may be moderately impacted in areas experiencing concurrent weather-related incidents or access constraints.
Recommendations:
• Advised to avoid non-essential travel, particularly on Sunday (12 April) and early Monday (13 April), as road conditions may deteriorate rapidly due to flooding, debris, and strong winds.
• Advised to activate business continuity plans, especially for logistics, retail, and infrastructure-dependent operations. Advised to further review supply chain contingencies, particularly for time-sensitive deliveries or perishable goods.
• Advised to remain abreast of further weather-related updates via the official website of the Meteorological Service of New Zealand (https://www.metservice.com) and X handle (formerly Twitter) (https://x.com/MetService).
• The 24/7 emergency or agency coordination line for MetService is +64 4 4700 700.
• Advised to follow emergency response guidance issued by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (https://www.fireandemergency.nz), particularly during active incidents. In case of emergencies, individuals are advised to call or text 111.
• Advised to remain abreast of further traffic and road condition updates via the official website of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (https://www.nzta.govt.nz).
Sources:
• https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home
• https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-12/cyclone-vaianu-set-to-make-landfall-in-new-zealand/106555766
• https://x.com/MetService/status/2043150137913221464
• https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/04/11/live-states-of-emergency-evacuation-orders-as-cyclone-vaianu-approaches/
