Cyclone Vaianu - April 2026
Emergency Declaration Ends: 6pm, Monday 13 April 2026
Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has ended the Declaration of Emergency for the region and transitioned into recovery.
At 9.32am on Saturday, 11 April 2026, a Local State of Emergency was declared for the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group area, for a period of seven days, as a pro-active measure ahead of Cyclone Vaianu.
A declaration for the entire region is rare but was made in response to the potential scale and likely impacts of the approaching ex-tropical cyclone.
“The declaration helped us to act early, with our communities and partner agencies, to reduce the likely consequences of the approaching cyclone. We are very grateful to how our community responded and the level of preparation,” said Councillor Emma Pike, Waikato CDEM Group Joint Committee Chair. “Our goal is always to prevent loss of life: It’s the reason we exist.”
Julian Snowball, Group Controller for the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group said, “Lessons from previous events show us that time is of the essence, and the ability to pre-position people and assets is critical. Also, the extraordinary powers provided by this early declaration were used to good effect, across district boundaries."
Councillor Emma Pike said, “Going early gave people the ability to evacuate ahead of time, especially those who live in areas that usually see storm impacts. They could have grab bags packed and ready, and our partners had the staff and resources in place to respond. That’s what makes a response a success – people knowing what they need to do and planning for it,” she said.
“The cyclone had the potential to be seriously impactful. If people hadn’t prepared, stayed in place and heeded the warnings, the outcome may have looked really different.”
Waikato has reported zero injuries and fatalities, and most displaced people have now returned home, including all in Port Waikato.
As of 6pm on 13 April Waikato region moves into Recovery, an important part of Emergency Management. This is when life and safety critical responses have ended, and the local authorities, communities, and agencies undertake their plans to repair, restore, and build back. There is ongoing support for affected residents, and communities are helped to return to normal.
Update 9.53pm, Sunday 12 April 2026
MetService New Zealand have issued its latest update, confirming that all rain and wind watches and warnings for the Waikato region have been lifted.
Continue to take care over the coming days. Roads across the region may still be affected, and there may be fallen trees, debris or slips. Travel with caution and allow extra time for your journey.
Continue to follow local Council channels to keep up to date with area-specific information.
Update 12.51pm, Sunday 12 April 2026
Cyclone Vaianu is moving steadily across the East Coast, with flooding, evacuations and power outages across the Thames-Coromandel. More rain is falling across Waikato on ground that’s already saturated and that means the risk of flooding, slips, fallen trees, and dangerous river conditions remains high.
Flooding is serious:
- Always assume that flood water is contaminated with farm run-off, chemicals, and sewage.
- Contaminated flood water can make you sick.
- Make sure you wash your hands, clothes and property after contact with flood waters.
- Don’t walk, play, swim, or drive through floodwater. It can rise quickly, sweep you off your feet, and may contain sewage. debris, and hidden hazards.
- Put safety first. Don’t take chances.
Update 7.30am, Sunday 12 April 2026
Cyclone Vaianu is still sitting of the East Coast and as forecast, impacts have been felt overnight. The cyclone is tracking as expected down the east coast of the North Island, with potentially damaging impacts likely today (Sunday) and into this evening.
There are widespread power outages across Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty. Power companies are restoring services in some areas where it is safe to do so. Some at risk communities in other North Island regions have been evacuated, and Civil Defence Centres have been opened to receive displaced people. Please contact your local council to see which Civil Defence Centres are open for your part of the region.
The system brings a combination of damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding, and coastal inundation, with the potential for more power outages, road closures, and isolated communities.
MetService, NEMA, Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, NZDF, Police and FENZ have been activated in response to Cyclone Vaianu, with coordinated efforts underway across agencies and CDEM Groups.
Road closures:
(updated 13/4/26 11.19am)
SH25 Coromandel Town to Whangapoua Road - closed due to a slip.
SH25a Kopu to Hikuai - due to a slip, one lane is open.
SH25 Whitianga to Hikuai - speed restrictions in place due to a slip
SH25 Whakatete Bay to Thames - road closed between Manaia and Thames
Check NZTA's Journey Planner for full updates on State Highways across the region. www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/regions
Update 3.40pm on Saturday, 11 April 2026
An emergency alert has been made throughout the region:
CIVIL DEFENCE SEVERE WEATHER ALERT: Cyclone Vaianu will have widespread impacts. MetService has issued heavy rain and strong wind warnings for areas within the Waikato area from Saturday evening.
Prepare now. Have a plan to shelter at home, deal with potential power outages, or evacuate if necessary. Follow forecasts and do not wait for official warnings. Wind damage, flooding and landslides can occur at any time. Stay away from beaches.
Your grab bag should include essential items like medication, warm clothes, important documents and supplies for babies and pets.
Be prepared to evacuate. Keep your grab bag close.
Visit www.metservice.com/warnings/home, https://getready.govt.nz and www.waikatocivildefence.govt.nz for more information.
Issued by Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group 11 April 2026 at 3.05pm
Update: 2pm on Saturday, 11 April 2026
State of Local Emergency has been declared for the Waikato CDEM Group area.
Situation
At 9.32am on Saturday, 11 April 2026, a State of Local Emergency (State of Emergency) was declared for the Waikato CDEM Group Area for a period of seven days, by Joint Committee Chair, Councillor Emma Pike.
The decision, while rare, was made as a precautionary measure ahead of Cyclone Vaianu, which is expected to bring severe and potentially damaging weather across the North Island from late Saturday.
This decision ensures that Civil Defence teams and partner agencies can respond quickly, be agile and effective to what is expected to be a significant weather event affecting the whole region.
Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to track south across the North Island starting on Saturday 11 April, bringing a range of severe weather hazards to the Waikato CDEM Group Area and have the potential to cause widespread disruption.
From approx. 10pm on Saturday onwards conditions may begin to deteriorate with peak impacts expected late Sunday morning into mid-afternoon. From Sunday evening and into Monday conditions are expected to ease, but disruption may remain.
Expected impacts include:
Damaging winds (main risk) - gusts up to 120–140 km/h may cause:
- Fallen trees
- Power outages
- Damage to buildings
- Dangerous travel conditions
Heavy rain and flooding
- Rivers may rise quickly due to already saturated ground
- Flooding is possible even without extremely heavy rainfall
- Some roads may become impassable
Coastal hazards (eastern areas)
- Large waves expected to break offshore and storm surge
- Coastal erosion and possible inundation
- Dangerous conditions near the shoreline
What does a State of Emergency mean?
A State of Emergency allows Civil Defence to:
- Coordinate the response across the whole region
- Deploy resources where they are needed most
- Close roads and public places if required
- Direct evacuations if necessary
This helps ensure a faster, more effective response to protect people and property.
How to get prepared.
- Clear gutters and drains.
- Bring inside or tie down items that can be broken or picked up by strong winds (e.g. garden furniture, trampolines).
- Keep materials at hand for repairing windows, such as tarpaulins, boards and duct tape.
- Identify a safe location in your whare/home for household members to gather. This should be a place away from windows, skylights, or glass doors, which can be broken by strong winds and cause damage or injury.
- Check on whānau, neighbours, and anyone who might need help.
- Move farm animals to areas that are safe from flooding and high winds, and stay up to date with support from Waikato Rural Support Trust.
- Stay up to date with the latest weather information from MetService New Zealand.
Plan to stay home on Sunday where possible. During the worst of the weather travel may be dangerous and roads may be blocked or closed. Only travel if necessary.
- Be ready for power and communication outages as strong winds are likely to cause disruptions.
- Charge devices now Have backup lighting (torches, batteries) Keep essential items accessible
- Be prepared to be without power for a period of time
Important:
- Never drive through floodwater
- Do not walk through fast-moving water
- Be ready to move if conditions worsen
- Some areas may become isolated due to road closures.
- Stay away from beaches and coastal areas Large waves and surges are life-threatening
- Call 111 if there is an immediate threat to life
Prepare now. Stay home during the worst of the weather. Look after yourself and others.
Where to get help
If this situation is stressful or you need support, you can free text or call 1737 to speak to a counsellor, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.