More areas across New Zealand’s North Island have been placed under red weather warnings as Cyclone Vaianu approaches, with the system expected to make its most significant impact from this evening.
According to a report by 1News, the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua have now been upgraded to the highest alert level for strong winds, joining the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island, where already severe conditions are forecast. At 1 pm, the cyclone’s centre was still about 500km north of the country, but its outer cloud bands and winds were already beginning to affect the North Island.
MetService said orange and yellow-level warnings and watches remain widely in place across both islands, with only eastern Marlborough in the South Island under an orange heavy rain warning.
According to 1News, MetService meteorologist John Law said: “Cyclone Vaianu remains on its path towards us and is set to bring damaging winds, heavy rain and large swells. The red severe weather warnings represent our highest level of alert."
He warned that the system is a “very large, damaging system” capable of widespread disruption, including a possible “threat to life” from flying debris and falling trees, as quoted by 1News.
Authorities have urged residents in high-risk areas to stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for potential power and communication outages. The red heavy wind warning for the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island has also been extended to cover a 20-hour period from Saturday morning through Sunday evening, with gusts reaching up to 130km/h in exposed locations.
Heavy rain warnings remain in place across several regions, including Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel, and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Tolaga Bay. In the South Island, the Eastern Marlborough warning has been upgraded to orange, with forecasters flagging a prolonged period of intense rainfall between Blenheim and Kaikōura.
Coastal areas in Wairarapa are also bracing for hazardous sea conditions, with a heavy swell warning issued for Cape Palliser to Mataikona. MetService expects waves to reach up to 6.5 metres by Sunday afternoon.
Further orange rain warnings have been issued for inland areas such as the Tararua District and the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges, while additional wind warnings remain in place for parts of the upper North Island.
According to a report by 1News, MetService said the Far North would be the first to feel the cyclone’s impacts, with strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas expected from late Saturday. The system is forecast to track south-eastwards across the North Island through Sunday.
“The combination of damaging winds, heavy rain, and coastal inundation makes this a multi-hazard, potentially life-threatening event," the forecaster said, 1News has quoted.
"The locations of the most severe impacts associated with Cyclone Vaianu, such as power outages, falling trees, flooding, slips, road closures, and isolated communities, are highly dependent on the cyclone's track.
"People are urged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts, adjust plans as needed and be prepared to act, following all advice of local authorities," as quoted by 1News.
1News meteorologist Dan Corbett described the system as still highly active, noting it continued to show bursts of intensity, according to 1News.
He warned that impacts would spread across the country through Sunday, beginning in the Far North before reaching Auckland and Rodney, and later the Coromandel.
He said "piling wind gusts" would arrive in the Coromandel later in the day.
MetService has forecast severe gale easterlies shifting to west to northwesterlies in the Coromandel on Sunday, with gusts potentially reaching 140km/h before easing as the cyclone moves away.
Emergency officials have urged households to prepare by charging devices, securing loose outdoor items, and assembling emergency supplies such as food, water, and radios.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell said her would be in Auckland this morning, witking with NEMA to prepare for the cyclone.
"The Government, MetService, NEMA, Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, NZDF, Police and FENZ are closely monitoring Cyclone Vaianu and readiness activities are underway across agencies and CDEM Groups ahead of the Cyclone’s arrival," he said, as quoted by 1News.
"The Government stands ready to provide support as required."
Warnings remain in force across both islands, including red and orange wind alerts for parts of the upper North Island and multiple heavy rain warnings stretching from Northland to Marlborough, highlighting the wide-reaching and evolving nature of the storm system.